Major Trauma - Salford Royal Major Trauma Centre

Major Trauma Coordinators

Patient line: 0161 206 3117
Email: majortrauma@nca.nhs.uk

Working Hours:
Monday - Friday: 6am - 6pm
Saturday - Sunday/Bank holidays: 6am - 2pm

Please contact a member of the major trauma coordinator team should you require any advice/support on discharge. Please either email the team or call on the above number. Please note this is not an emergency service, we aim to get back to you within 48 hours of your query. If you need urgent help please contact the relevant service: 999 for emergencies, 111 for non-emergencies or your GP.

Introduction

Salford Care Organisation is part of a national network of Major Trauma Centres (MTC) in England, providing specialist care for seriously injured adults. The service offers comprehensive care from admission, including assessment, diagnostics, surgery if needed, critical care, ward treatment, and rehabilitation.

What to expect as part of your admission

Based on your injuries, you will be placed in a hospital ward that best suits your needs. On the first morning of your admission, your case will be reviewed by the major trauma multidisciplinary team (MDT), who will summarise your injuries and create an initial care plan.

Throughout that day you will meet one of the major trauma coordinators. They will work to ensure you are aware of your plan of care and what to expect throughout your patient journey in hospital and on discharge.

On the day of your admission, it is common for the MDT to start planning for your discharge.

Usual discharge destination includes:

• Home (with or without supportive care)
• Intermediate care rehab facility in your local area
• Transfer back to local district general hospital
• Neuro/trauma rehab
• Transfer for specialist care

Rehabilitation

Following your trauma, you may need inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. A trauma rehabilitation coordinator will help coordinate your care between medical, therapy, and nursing teams. If your needs can be met in the community, you’ll be referred to community rehab services. If not, you may be admitted to one of Salford Royal’s specialist rehab units on wards L1 or C2.

Discharge

Once you're medically and therapeutically ready to leave Salford Royal, your follow-up appointments will be arranged and sent by post. Any needed specialist support, like a district nurse, will be organized before discharge.

For questions or concerns after leaving, contact the major trauma coordinators for guidance.

For urgent issues, visit your local GP or A&E department.

Major Trauma telephone follow up

A member of the major trauma coordinator team will contact you 2 weeks after discharge, if you are discharged directly home from the hospital. This will be a telephone call to your preferred number, please make sure that this is up to date before leaving the ward.

If you are transferred to another hospital or rehab facility, we will not contact you for this service – however you are welcome to call us on the patient line number if you have any questions about your recovery or ongoing management plans.

Tips for helping to look after yourself

Nutrition

It's common to experience a reduced appetite after trauma or surgery, which can be affected further by changes in bowel habits, medications, and mood. However, after a serious injury or surgery, it’s important to eat more protein, calcium, and vitamins (especially C and D) to support healing. Constipation is also common due to reduced mobility, poor appetite, and medication, but increasing fibre intake and staying hydrated can help. As your appetite returns, gradually reintroduce nutrient-rich foods to aid recovery.

Psychological and emotional well being

It’s common and understandable to have strong emotional reactions after a serious injury, as such events can significantly impact various aspects of your life and bring about unexpected changes. Psychological difficulties that may arise include:

• Feeling low, tearful, anxious, or overwhelmed about the future
• Struggling to adjust to life changes or experiencing a sense of loss
• Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories of the event
• Emotional distress when thinking or talking about the incident
• Avoiding reminders of the trauma, such as people, places, or activities
• Feeling self-conscious about physical changes or scarring
• Fear of driving, traveling, or returning to the scene of the incident
• Difficulty following medical advice or coping with physical symptoms like pain and reduced mobility

These reactions are part of the normal response to trauma and recovery.

Pain management

People experience and cope with pain differently, often influenced by past experiences and individual tolerance. Some discomfort after injury or surgery is expected, but taking painkillers regularly as prescribed can help manage it effectively. Don’t wait until the pain is severe before taking medication, as this can make it harder to control.

You may be given medications upon discharge—take them regularly to help you breathe deeply, cough, and move, which reduces the risk of complications. If prescribed morphine-based medications, be aware they are for short-term use only, as long- term use can lead to dependence and reduced effectiveness. Always follow the guidance provided and consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns.

Sex and Intimacy after serious injury

Sex and intimacy can be affected after a serious injury due to emotional challenges like stress, depression, or frustration, or due to physical changes caused by the injury. These effects may be temporary or permanent. If emotional issues impact your relationship and can’t be resolved through conversation, speak to your GP or a counsellor. For physical concerns, ask your doctor when it might be safe to resume sexual activity.

Take your time—there’s no need to rush or pressure yourself.

Medical support at home

Your GP oversees your care in the community, can address most concerns, and refer you to other services. The Practice Nurse handles wound care and can advise on various issues, including monitoring blood tests and blood pressure. If you can't visit the surgery, district nurses can provide similar care at home.

However, if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain – a sharp, stabbing pain that may be worse when you breathe in,
• Shortness of breath – which can come on suddenly or develop gradually
• Coughing – which is usually dry, but may include coughing up blood or mucus that contains blood
• Feeling faint, dizzy or passing out

What to do: Visit your GP immediately, call NHS 111 or if you feel it is an emergency call 999.

Useful contacts

Here is a selection of agencies and organisations that you or your family may find useful:

Day One Trauma Support
www.dayonetrauma.org.uk
Tel: 0300 303 5648
Email: dayone@dayonetrauma.org

Citizens Advice Bureau
Independent advice on issues such as benefits, employment, housing etc
Telephone: 0800 144 8848
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

DVLA
Telephone: 0300 790 6806
Website: www.dvla.gov.uk

Headway
A charity providing information and support for individuals with a brain injury
Telephone: 0808 800 2244 – free phone Email: hats-nw@headway.org.uk
 
Six Degrees
A company that takes self-referrals for support with mental health
Telephone: 0161 983 0900
Website: www.six-degrees.org.uk

Spinal Injuries Association
A charity which provides information and support for patients with spinal cord injuries
Telephone: 0800 980 0501 Website: www.spinal.co.uk Email: adviceline@spinal.co.uk

National Domestic Abuse help line
Telephone: 0808 2000 247
Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

British Redcross
A charity supporting people in crisis Telephone: 0344 871 1111
Email: contactus@redcross.org.uk

After Trauma app
Resources and support for survivors of trauma and their carers Website: www.aftertrauma.org/
 
B.A.S.I.C
Brain and spinal injury rehabilitation charity Telephone: 0161 707 6441
Email: enquiries@basiccharity.org.uk
Website: www.basiccharity.org.uk

Samaritans
Supporting people in crisis, offering support and advice Telephone: 116 123
Email: Jo@samaritans.org.uk
Website: www.samaritans.org
 
Salford Royal contact information key contacts:

Orthotics Department - Telephone 0161 206 4912
Email: orthotics@nca.nhs.uk

Fracture Clinic - Telephone 0161 206 4896

Trauma Therapy Team - Telephone 0161 206 8114

Ward T4 - 0161 206 1037

Ward T5 - 0161 206 1340

Ward B7 - 0161 206 4571

Ward B8 - 0161 206 0191

Ward H5 - 0161 206 4096

Trauma Rehab Unit (L1) - Telephone 0161 206 3777

C2 Acute Rehab Unit - Telephone 0161 206 0476

Alcohol Specialist Nurse - Telephone 0161 206 0528