King’s trauma team to feature in new documentary series

21 February 2022 - The four-part series will broadcast from 28 February on Channel 4

The work of the trauma team at King’s College Hospital will feature in a new documentary series on Channel 4.

The series, which will broadcast over four consecutive nights from Monday 28 February on Channel 4 at 9pm, explores the work of London’s Major Trauma Network. The network comprises four major trauma centres – of which King’s is one – as well as trauma units, ambulance services and air ambulance services, all working together to provide life-saving care to critically injured patients.

Trauma injuries, including road traffic accidents, falls and penetrating injuries such as knife wounds, are the leading cause of death in those under the age of 44, but the series demonstrates how the trauma network comes together to care for patients with these serious injuries.

Filmed during two busy weeks in summer 2021, the series shows roadside interventions through to resuscitation, surgery, intensive care and rehabilitation, reflecting the variety of specialist treatment that goes into saving patients’ lives and putting them back together again.

Since the London trauma system was established in 2010, trauma survival rates have increased by more than 50%, saving thousands of lives. The London Major Trauma System as whole treats over 12,000 people each year, including the smaller trauma units and rehab centres.

Dr Malcolm Tunnicliff, Clinical Director for Trauma and Consultant in Emergency Medicine at King’s College Hospital, said, “Thanks to London’s Trauma Network, severely injured patients in London and the south-east do receive timely, highly specialised care when they need it most.

“From the pre-hospital interventions provided by the ambulance and air ambulance services to the many specialised hospital services, and then rehabilitation for those who need it, there’s a whole network dedicated to giving patients the very best chance of survival.”

King’s became a major trauma centre in 2010 and in 2016 the hospital opened a helipad on the roof of the Ruskin wing. In 2019, King’s became the first and only hospital in London to accept air ambulance landings at night as well as during daylight hours, allowing trauma patients to receive the same level of timely care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.