Royal London Hospital joins London's trauma network

LONDON S new trauma system was officially opened today with the Royal London becoming one of only three accident and emergency units in the capital. The hospital in Whitechapel has been designated a major trauma centre which will see it treat the capita

LONDON'S new trauma system was officially opened today with the Royal London becoming one of only three accident and emergency units in the capital.

The hospital in Whitechapel has been designated a major trauma centre which will see it treat the capital's most seriously injured patients, including those who have been stabbed, shot or involved in car smashes.

It already treats around four seriously injured patients a day but the new network, the largest trauma system of its kind in the world, is expected to bring even more patients through its doors.

Fionna Moore, a consultant in emergency medicine at Charing Cross hospital and medical director of the London Ambulance Service, will be responsible for the network and estimates the system will save 500 lives a year.

The trauma centres are also set up at King's College in Denmark Hill and St George's in Tooting.