Latest news with #traumaCare
BBC News
06-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Royal Preston Hospital helipad closes for 10 weeks
A hospital's helicopter landing pad will be closed for 10 weeks due to building North West Ambulance Charity said the landing pad at Royal Preston Hospital would be "temporarily inaccessible" due to "essential building works". The helicopter pad will be out out action from Monday, but another one will be used at Fulwood Barracks two miles (3km) away with patients then driven to the hospital.A charity spokesperson said: "This temporary arrangement ensures that patients in urgent need of specialist trauma care can continue to receive timely treatment without disruption." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Crash rescue technique overhaul to save lives
Fewer crash victims are being cut free from vehicles since a Devon doctor's research led to changes in national guidance for trauma care. Prof Tim Nutbeam, from the EXIT (Extrication in Trauma) Project, found more lives could be saved by releasing road traffic victims quickly, rather than traditional methods prioritising reduced spinal movement. Since his report in 2022, Prof Nutbeam said extrications involving cutting off a vehicle's roof had dropped by more than 50%, and typically saved up to 30 minutes, enabling faster access to life-saving treatment. He said speed could improve the chances of survival and "slow and steady methods weren't reducing spinal movement – they were just slow". Insp Ian Harvey, from Devon and Cornwall Police's road policing team, said: "I have sat in the vehicle with a victim talking to them for a long time while the vehicle was made safe. "It can be very harrowing. "This is a much quicker, safer and easier process to help people out of the car." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon "Traditionally, firefighters have been trained in techniques aimed at minimising spinal movement – despite a lack of supporting evidence that the techniques actually worked ," said Prof Nutbeam, an emergency medicine consultant. He discovered the rate of spinal chord injury among people extracted from vehicles in the UK was under 0.7% and patients were dying from internal injuries that required urgent attention. The findings prompted changes to national guidance for both paramedics and fire and rescue services. Prof Nutbeam, who is also a critical care doctor for Devon Air Ambulance, said: "After a road traffic collision, people often have serious internal injuries." He said: "Between 15% and 40% of patients are trapped in their cars, and during that time they may be bleeding to death. "We know that if we get them out quicker, we may improve their chances of survival and recovery." The EXIT Project conducted 10 studies, including biomechanical testing, patient interviews, and analysis of more than 70,000 trauma cases involving trapped individuals. "We found that what we were doing historically wasn't working," Prof Nutbeam said. Greg Webb, watch manager at Exeter Middlemoor Fire Station, said internal injuries from crashes were often hidden but life-threatening. "A ligament which is attached to the liver can be severed for example if there is a sudden stop and this is the same for the heart. "We need to get them to hospital as soon as possible. By delaying to protect their C-spine, they are bleeding out and we can't see that on the scene." He added the new guidance also freed fire crews up to attend other incidents. Insp Harvey added: "Getting people out of the vehicle should be guided by a professional to ensure it's done safely, but if someone is able to step out of a vehicle with no injuries, then obviously they are going to be safer away from the scene and where the danger lies." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Devon Air Ambulance Devon and Cornwall Police Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Police plea after 'truly tragic' month on roads
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Crash rescue technique overhaul thanks for Devon professor
Fewer crash victims are being cut free from vehicles since a Devon doctor's research led to changes in national guidance for trauma Tim Nutbeam, from the EXIT (Extrication in Trauma) Project, found more lives could be saved by releasing road traffic victims quickly, rather than traditional methods prioritising reduced spinal his report in 2022, Prof Nutbeam said extrications involving cutting off a vehicle's roof had dropped by more than 50%, and typically saved up to 30 minutes, enabling faster access to life-saving said speed could improve the chances of survival and "slow and steady methods weren't reducing spinal movement – they were just slow". Insp Ian Harvey, from Devon and Cornwall Police's road policing team, said: "I have sat in the vehicle with a victim talking to them for a long time while the vehicle was made safe. "It can be very harrowing. "This is a much quicker, safer and easier process to help people out of the car." "Traditionally, firefighters have been trained in techniques aimed at minimising spinal movement – despite a lack of supporting evidence that the techniques actually worked ," said Prof Nutbeam, an emergency medicine discovered the rate of spinal chord injury among people extracted from vehicles in the UK was under 0.7% and patients were dying from internal injuries that required urgent findings prompted changes to national guidance for both paramedics and fire and rescue Nutbeam, who is also a critical care doctor for Devon Air Ambulance, said: "After a road traffic collision, people often have serious internal injuries." He said: "Between 15% and 40% of patients are trapped in their cars, and during that time they may be bleeding to death. "We know that if we get them out quicker, we may improve their chances of survival and recovery."The EXIT Project conducted 10 studies, including biomechanical testing, patient interviews, and analysis of more than 70,000 trauma cases involving trapped individuals."We found that what we were doing historically wasn't working," Prof Nutbeam said. Greg Webb, watch manager at Exeter Middlemoor Fire Station, said internal injuries from crashes were often hidden but life-threatening."A ligament which is attached to the liver can be severed for example if there is a sudden stop and this is the same for the heart. "We need to get them to hospital as soon as possible. By delaying to protect their C-spine, they are bleeding out and we can't see that on the scene."He added the new guidance also freed fire crews up to attend other Harvey added: "Getting people out of the vehicle should be guided by a professional to ensure it's done safely, but if someone is able to step out of a vehicle with no injuries, then obviously they are going to be safer away from the scene and where the danger lies."
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital uses warzone training to help patients
Surgical skills developed by doctors in war zones are now routinely being used to treat victims of gun and knife treatment of penetrating wounds, including stabbings, and stabilising blast injuries have become embedded in trauma care at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QE)."All of those military lessons we have learned, we have tried to make them routine in our civilian practices," explained trauma specialist Dr Justine Lee, who served in the Army for 18 years."That would be such amazing legacy for our soldiers and everyone who's been injured or killed in conflicts." The RCDM has been based at the QE for 15 years, after moving from the old Selly Oak that time, it has treated dozens of military personnel. The BBC was invited to see a mass casualty simulation, a training exercise for medical staff to prepare them for a major at the QE roughly every six months, scenarios may include multiple stabbings, a bomb blast, a road traffic accident or any incident involving multiple severe is a strong focus on providing a rigorous local response."We need to be able to respond to all of the interpersonal violence that's happening in our communities," said Dr Lee."Penetrating trauma is what we experienced in wartime, and we learned how to manage those injuries."Now, we're just doing it in greater numbers". Among those taking part in the training were consultants, nurses, resident doctors, paramedics, haematology staff and hospital portersIn another area of the hospital, military personnel from overseas were drilled in the highly pressurised environment of trauma a reminder were needed of the importance of fast, effective surgical care, a video was sent to staff at the QE from one of their best-known former patients – Malala women's rights campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize recipient underwent cranial surgery at the hospital after being shot in the head by the Taliban in Yousafzai, then 15, was returning home from school in the north-western Swat district when her school bus was boarded by underwent reconstructive surgery in Birmingham and was discharged in early 2013. Ms Yousafzai paid a special tribute to the hospital to mark its 15th anniversary."I am so grateful to doctors, nurses and staff members who looked after me," she said. "I want to thank you all for the service you do for the community".It's a reminder to Dr Lee of the importance of the work carried out at the hospital, and the training that staff continually undergo."Trauma care delivery in Birmingham is very focused," she said."We learn so much in warfare but as soon as the war ends, we don't want that knowledge to disappear."We really want to sure that those lessons remain." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The National
28-05-2025
- General
- The National
Hospital emergency unit destroyed in Beirut blast reopens after Dh8.7 million UAE donation
The emergency and trauma unit at a Lebanese hospital that was destroyed in the 2020 Beirut port blast is ready to welcome patients again, thanks to a major UAE donation. The Big Heart Foundation, a global humanitarian organisation based in Sharjah, contributed Dh8.7 million ($2.36 million) to reconstruct and expand the facility at the 147-year-old Saint George Hospital University Medical Centre in Lebanon's capital. The hospital is about half a kilometre from the port and bore the brunt of the devastating explosion, which killed more than 200 people and left thousands injured. Four members of the hospital's nursing staff died, as well as 12 patients and a visitor. More than 100 doctors, nurses and administrative staff suffered injuries ranging from mild to critical, according to the hospital's website. The upgraded unit reopened on Tuesday. It has state-of-the-art medical equipment, expanded capacity, enhanced trauma-care facilities, and a new paediatric section. It is expected to serve 40,000 patients per year. Its inauguration has enabled the hospital to operate at full capacity for the first time since the disaster on August 4, 2020. Beirut blast aftermath – in pictures The crucial funding was made possible by the Salam Beirut campaign, which raised more than Dh30 million for recovery work following the explosion. At the inauguration ceremony, Alya Al Musaiebi, director of The Big Heart Foundation, reaffirmed Sharjah's long-standing friendship with Lebanon and praised the strength of its people. 'The reconstructed and expanded [centre] symbolises our belief that humanitarian work must be meaningful, long-term, and grounded in the dignity of those we serve,' she said. 'The devastation caused by the Port of Beirut explosion was not just structural – it was deeply human, and our response through Salam Beirut was committed to investing in systems that give people back not just services, but stability and self-worth.' Dr Joseph Wehbe, chief of staff and head of the emergency and trauma centre, said: 'The rehabilitation, restoration and expansion of the emergency and trauma unit marks a moment of great pride for everyone at Saint George University Hospital. 'The hospital was among the most severely affected institutions by the tragic explosion that rocked the Port of Beirut, resulting in a complete shutdown for the first time since its founding in 1878. 'Despite the magnitude of the disaster, our determination never wavered. Through the dedication and perseverance of our medical and administrative teams, we managed to resume operations via a temporary emergency unit within a record time of just two weeks.'
