A regional trauma service (RTS) can provide all aspects of care to patients with minor to moderate trauma, and definitive care to a limited number of major trauma patients in collaboration with the major trauma service (MTS).
An RTS initiates transfer to an MTS when a patient requires services not available at the RTS.
An RTS is equivalent to a level 3 trauma service as documented in the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Trauma Verification Program: Model Resource Criteria for Trauma Services by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.6
Locations
There are currently 10 designated RTS in NSW.
Role of the RTS
The main role of an RTS service is to provide high-quality care to medium and minor level trauma patients. This is outlined in the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Trauma Verification Program: Model Resource Criteria for Trauma Services.6
An RTS provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency surgery, and stabilisation for a small number of seriously injured patients, while arranging transfer to the responsible MTS.
An RTS provides all aspects of immediate care, including some definitive care for non-major trauma patients according to patient needs and available resources. It has a consistent general surgical service, which also provides most aspects of definitive care to severely-injured patients.
An RTS has established transfer agreements with the designated MTS. It requires the 24-hour availability of an on-duty specialist surgeon and anaesthetist, as well as a nurse experienced in the care of trauma and radiology facilities. Helicopters should be able to land safely nearby.
There is varying capacity among the RTS for the provision of emergency surgery. In rural areas, the RTS provides a trauma referral service to hospitals within their rural network.
Staffing infrastructure
The day-to-day coordination of multidisciplinary activities, services and systems required to provide to the highest level of trauma care within the RTS are led by the trauma director and the trauma nurse coordinator.
Review the roles and responsibilities for trauma service staff
The model of care has more details on staffing and resources.