After major trauma

What is a Major Trauma Centre?

Sheffield Children’s Hospital is the only Major Trauma Centre (MTC) for children in the South Yorkshire and Humber region.

A Major Trauma Centre is a specialised hospital which has the best available skills and equipment to treat patients who have the most serious injuries.

Children with suspected serious injuries are usually brought directly to the Major Trauma Centre which may mean this is not your nearest hospital. The centres have a range of doctors, nurses and therapists who provide specialist treatment for patients with multiple, serious injuries.

Being involved in an accident and having to come into hospital can be frightening. This resource aims to give you and your family as much information as possible about what will happen when your child is admitted to hospital.

Arriving at the Emergency Department

Children will have their injuries assessed as they arrive at the Major Trauma Centre. In order to do this quickly, there may be doctors from different specialities, and people performing many tasks at the same time.

This can be very scary for children and their family, but it is necessary to make sure that they are given the best treatment. The doctors and nursing team will keep you updated on your child’s care.

If the police are involved with the incident they will keep you updated with the progress of the case. They will take statements and may retain property for forensic evidence.

Ongoing care

Your child will be admitted to a ward best suited to their injuries and the level of care they need. Sometimes they may need to change wards during their hospital stay. This is normal and is done to make sure they are receiving care appropriate to their needs at that moment in time.

Who will I meet?

Nurses

The nursing team includes ward managers, staff nurses, associate nurses and support workers. They take care of your child on the ward and help with some treatments, such as giving out medicines.  They will listen to any worries you may have and will liaise with the appropriate hospital teams as needed.

Doctors

The consultant is responsible for your child’s care and leads a team of other doctors who will review your child’s treatment plans as appropriate. They will explain your child’s injuries and treatment plans with you. You may be seen by a number of doctors from different specialities.

If you have any queries about your child’s treatment, please speak to any member of their medical team who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Major Trauma and Rehabilitation Coordinators

The Major Trauma and Rehabilitation Coordinators work closely with families and the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team to coordinate the care which your child receives from them.

They aim to act as a key worker for you and your child. This means supporting you during your stay at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, and providing you with relevant information and advice about your child’s rehabilitation when they go home.

Trauma Nurse Coordinator

The Major Trauma Nurse Coordinator works alongside the Major Trauma and Rehabilitation Coordinators and the Emergency Department. They will have an overview of any major trauma patients admitted to the hospital, and provide education and training for the nurses who care for them.

The Major Trauma Nurse and Rehabilitation Coordinators work together with the Violence Reduction Team to promote Accident Prevention and support in the community.

 Other people you may meet

Your child may be assessed and seen by a number of other staff which may include:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech and Language Therapist
• Advanced Nurse Practitioner
• Hospital Teaching Team
• Physiotherapist
• Dietitian
• Orthotist
• Pharmacist
• Support Worker
• Psychologist
• Play Team
• Major Trauma Signposting Adviser (MTSP)
• Child Brain Injury Trust Acquired Brain Injury Coordinator (CBIT)

How long will my child stay in hospital?

Every child is different and will need different lengths of stay dependent on their injuries and the need for surgery, recovery and rehabilitation.

We know staying in hospital can be expensive.  Our hospital has introduced a range of schemes to help reduce this burden.  This includes reduced cost meals in the canteen, or microwave meals on the ward, toiletries and parking vouchers.  Please ask the ward staff if you have not been offered these, or look at the Families Matter information on the hospital website

If you are struggling with costs please let us know. We are able to access free financial and benefits advice for families from Citizen’s Advice.

Psychological impact of major trauma

Coping with a frightening event can be difficult for children, young people and their families. They may have flashbacks of the incident, or nightmares. Your child may be more clingy and have trouble sleeping. These reactions are normal and usually reduce over time. Support from the psychology team is available to help with these reactions if needed.

Our information about After a traumatic event may be helpful.

Rehabilitation

Following any major traumatic injury your child may benefit from a range of rehabilitation or therapy treatments. Your child will be assessed by the rehabilitation team, which includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and hospital teachers. They will discuss any rehabilitation plan with you and keep you informed of your child’s treatment.

Please discuss any queries regarding your child’s rehabilitation with the team, or with the Trauma and Rehabilitation Coordinators.

Some children require ongoing rehabilitation when they leave hospital. In this case, we will refer them to services nearer home.

Equipment

If your child requires any specialist equipment to use at home, then this will be organised by the physiotherapists and occupational therapists before discharge.  Unfortunately we are unable to provide standard wheelchairs, but these can be hired from the British Red Cross tel: 0300 4561914.

Rehabilitation Prescription

When your child is discharged home you will be provided with a Rehabilitation Prescription. This document will give you a record of your child’s hospital stay, as well as outline any ongoing rehabilitation needs they may have.

Discharge planning meetings

If your child needs to stay in hospital for a long time a discharge planning meeting may be arranged. This meeting is when everyone involved in your child’s care meets to discuss their current rehabilitation needs and to make sure the right support is in place for them at home.

Going home

Follow-up care and discharge planning will be discussed with you and your child, and any referrals to local therapy services will be made before you go home.

Children will have a follow-up appointment with their lead consultant at Sheffield Children’s Hospital a few weeks after they have been discharged home. If you have not received an appointment, please contact 0114 305 3691.

If your child has longer term needs following their injury, they may be referred to the Outreach Rehabilitation Coordinator who will continue to support you once your child is discharged from hospital.

Legal advice

If your child has been involved in an accident we are able to arrange free legal advice from one of two organisations who work within our hospital.  These are:

• Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) for children who have had a head injury
• Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (MTSP) for children who have had bone or surgical injuries.

Please ask the Major Trauma Rehabilitation Coordinator or the nurses on the ward if you would like to be referred, or see the contact details at the end of this leaflet.

Alternatively, the following organisations will be able to assist you:

• Citizens Advice Sheffield
• Law Society
• APIL
• AvMA

When will my child be able to go back to nursery or school?

The timing and your child’s ability to go back to nursery or school will depend on how well they recover following their injury. Some things you may want to consider returning to nursery or school include:

• keeping your child’s nursery or school up to date whilst they are in hospital and during their rehabilitation
• discussing with your child’s therapists any reasonable adjustments they may need at nursery or school
• asking your child’s consultant about when they can re-start P.E. or physical activity

If your child is unable to return to school at first, referral to the home tuition team may be possible in some cases.

If you are needing any help or advice about your child’s return to school, please contact Hannah Keable, Outreach Rehabilitation Coordinator on 0114 226 0548 or 07785 655 134.