Introducing our major trauma rehabilitation coordinators

A relatively new role at our trust that involves coordinating the rehab of patients with major trauma, from their admission through to their discharge and beyond, is proving a huge success.

The UK is split up into trauma networks, with both Yeovil and Musgrove Park hospitals part of the Severn network. The major trauma centre for the Severn network is at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, with both Somerset acute hospitals acting as trauma units.

Lily Jackson is the major trauma rehabilitation coordinator at Yeovil Hospital, with Lynne Thorpe taking on the role for Musgrove Park Hospital.

“The trauma networks were set up to improve the experience of patients, as well as their long term outcomes,” explains Lily, who began her role as major trauma rehabilitation coordinator at Yeovil Hospital in July 2024.

“All trauma networks across the UK developed various standards, aimed at improving the outcomes of patients, from the moment they’re seen by an ambulance crew, through to when they’re discharged from hospital and continuing their journey in the community.

“Although I work at Yeovil Hospital and Lynne works at MPH, we’re both part of the network and we liaise with all the different trauma units, as well as colleagues at Southmead Hospital.

“Earlier this year we held our annual peer review to check how we compare to other trusts nationally, and that identified that we’re now meeting more standards for the way we provide rehabilitation after a major trauma, compared to previous years.

“Recent audits have concluded that we are performing above the national average, and we’re working to continuously improve this.

“In the past, patients across England who’ve had complex traumas have said they’re so thankful that their lives have been saved, or their limbs have been fixed, but upon leaving hospital they’re still struggling and not getting back to the daily activities that are so important to them.

“One of the areas identified was the need for a rehabilitation coordinator, who could personalise patients’ rehab plans, and capture what’s really important to them – and that’s where we fit in!

“In the coordinator role, we’re also that link between Southmead Hospital and our trauma units at Musgrove Park and Yeovil hospitals, improving the transition of patients between the two.”

Lily, who has a special interest in complex trauma care, has been a qualified physiotherapist since 2007, and has worked in various different hospital departments, including acute, primary care and the community.

Lynne has been qualified since 2006, with over 15 years’ experience working with trauma patients, including in two of London's major trauma hospitals.

“Although we are physiotherapists by background, this job is more about overseeing the patients,” adds Lily. “This means we are slightly less hands-on in providing the physiotherapy itself, and more of a case management role.

“Lynne and I manage patients of any age who’ve experienced a major trauma, or multiple severe injuries, for example those with a spinal injury, a head injury or someone who’s sustained multiple rib fractions or organ injuries. I generally have approximately 25 patients on my caseload a month, although some stay longer than others. Lynne has approximately 40-50 patients.

“The criteria for us getting involved in their care is where they have been admitted to hospital for a minimum of 72 hours, with certain injuries, and those who are repatriated from Southmead. We cover patients from any ward in both hospitals who come under this criteria.

“The idea is that the complex specialist surgery would be done in the major trauma centre in Southmead and then the patient would be transferred to their local trauma unit for us to care for them.

“In our respective roles, we try to help personalise the recovery and rehab of each patient, by working with them and their therapist and family/carer, also discussing together any goals and hobbies they have, so we can help them get back to what’s important to them.

“We ensure patients on the major trauma pathway are provided with a rehabilitation prescription, which is a document that’s a bit of a health passport in that it provides a summary of their injuries and management of these, what further rehab needs they have, and how/where they are going to receive this.

“We try to include their goals, and importantly, it has our contact details, so they have a single point of contact for any issues that come up once discharged from the hospital.

“Part of our role involves working with all our different therapists, as well as linking in with our community teams, to make sure that when the patients leave hospital, they can continue their rehab in the community

“It’s fair to say that it’s going incredibly well and patients have fed back that they like having that key worker as well as their rehab prescription documents, finding it really reassuring.”