Facts about the London Major Trauma System

16 August 2023

• Trauma is one of the major challenges of modern society. It kills 6 million people a year worldwide and 16,000 in the UK – and this number is rising.  
• Trauma is the leading cause of death in those under the age of 44. 
• For every trauma fatality, between three and four patients survive with a serious or permanent disability 
• The London Major Trauma System is a unique network of 39 hospitals made up of 4 major trauma centres and 35 trauma units, ambulance services and air ambulance services.  
• It was set up in 2010, celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2020 
• The four major trauma centres are all based in London and sit at the heart of a regional network.   

The Royal London Hospital - North East London and Essex 

St George’s Hospital - South West London and Surrey 

King’s College Hospital - South East London, Kent and Medway 

St Mary’s Hospital - North West London  

• The 35 trauma centres are hospitals in Greater London and the home counties.  
• The London Major Trauma System as whole treats over 12,000 people each year, including the smaller trauma centres and rehab.  
• Survival rates increased by 50% over 5 years, saving an estimated 610 lives – more than a 747 plane full of passengers. 

 

This series was filmed during the busiest two weeks at the end of July 2022, filming 24/7 across the four major trauma centres, London’s Ambulance Service, London’s Air Ambulance Charity and two trauma units – William Harvey in Kent and North Middlesex Hospital. 

 

We filmed patients throughout the trauma pathway. From roadside critical interventions, through resus to ICU, from surgery to rehabilitation to reflect the variety of specialist treatment that went into saving patients’ lives and putting them back together again.