A NEW report has found that the creation of major trauma centres, such as that at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, has led to the survival of hundreds of patients.

The research found that 1,600 patients across the country had survived because of the centres which were introduced in 2012.

The shake-up of NHS trauma centres now means seriously injured patients are sent direct to designated major trauma centres, bypassing smaller, local hospitals that offered less specialist care.

Oxford University Hospitals medical director Dr Tony Berendt, said: “The designation of a network of major trauma centres in 2012 – including here in Oxford at the John Radcliffe Hospital – has transformed the care of trauma patients.

"We are able to provide the clinical expertise here in Oxford which saves lives.

"The publication of this new research is welcome confirmation of the huge difference which trauma centres have made.”

The research was carried out by the independent Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN).

The outcomes of more than 110,000 patients admitted to 35 hospitals between 2008 and 2017 represents an increase of nearly a fifth in the odds of survival from severe injury in the five years from 2012.

The John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington was designated a Major Trauma Centre in April 2012, for the Thames Valley region, providing treatment to the most seriously injured and complex patients.

Southampton General Hospital was designated a Major Trauma Centre serving the south of the region.