2022 Update:
New research from the Centre for Trauma Sciences shows that thanks to innovations over the last decade, 40% fewer patients are now bleeding to death.
“Over 10 years, clinical and research trauma teams have worked hand in hand to understand what happens in the first few minutes after injury and how we can stop patients bleeding to death. We have reduced deaths by nearly a half, which is an incredible achievement in such a short period of time. There are still many opportunities to improve survival and this study also shows us where we need to focus our attention for the future,” Professor Karim Brohi shared.
The new research is featured in the Evening Standard newspaper.
The impact of trauma
Trauma is the biggest killer of people under 40 in the UK. Every hour, 2 people in the UK will die from a traumatic injury and 8 more will be left with life-changing disabilities. People most commonly sustain traumatic injuries through road traffic accidents, violent crime and falls.
Our funding is supporting The Centre for Trauma Sciences. The centre was established to reduce death and disability from trauma by researching how the body responds to injury and studying potential treatments. The Centre is partnered with The Royal London Hospital’s Major Trauma Centre, one of the world’s busiest trauma centres which sees over 2,000 patients per year. Researchers work closely with the hospital’s clinical team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to introduce and monitor new approaches to trauma care.
With our funding, the centre is:
- Saving patients with new treatments for hemorrhaging, organ failure and infection;
- Supporting survivors long-term by developing the AfterTrauma website and a new rehabilitation app.
"As a trauma physician turned patient, I know the care I received was the best there is, and I am alive and walking now thanks to them.”Alison, former neuro-physiotherapist at The Royal London Hospital
Funding extraordinary healthcare
Because of the start provided by us, the Centre for Trauma Sciences was able to secure extra funding for research into:
- Prevention of major bleeding, an international study funded by €9m from the European Union;
- An antimalarial drug that may prevent organ failure, a unique study funded by £760,000 from the Wellcome Trust;
- A lipid emulsion to treat brain and spinal cord injury, thanks to £400,000 of industry funding.
Professor of Trauma Sciences at Queen Mary University of London and Director of the London Trauma System, Professor Karim Brohi, adds: “Over 10 years, clinical and research trauma teams have worked hand in hand to understand what happens in the first few minutes after injury and how we can stop patients bleeding to death.
We have reduced deaths by nearly a half, which is an incredible achievement in such a short period of time. There are still many opportunities to improve survival and this study also shows us where we need to focus our attention for the future.”
