About Us
History
Westmead Hospital opened in 1978, with 975 beds, as a Quaternary Referral Hospital and Level I Trauma Centre for Greater Western Sydney. The Western Sydney Local Health District currently has a population of over 2 million people and 15 local government areas. Every surgical specialty is represented at Westmead Hospital, including national services, such as kidney-pancreas transplant. There are close links to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, as well as the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. The Hospital includes a Dental School, a stand-alone Brain Injury Facility and the Careflight Helicopter Retrieval Services base is on the campus. The addition of the Clinical Acute Services Building in 2021, makes Westmead into one of the largest health precincts in Australia.
The Westmead Trauma Service commenced in 1985 under the leadership of Professor Stephen Deane. In 1985, it developed the first trauma registry in the Southern Hemisphere, and this registry has been continuously maintained with now over 40,000 patients included. The formalization of a trauma team responding to major trauma activations was formalized in 1986, and Westmead was the first hospital in Australia to formally implement “Code Crimson” activation in 1999. Currently, the Trauma Service admits approximately 1500 patients per year.
Westmead Hospital has been synonymous with trauma care for over 40 years. The Trauma Service, under the leadership of previous Directors including Professor Stephen Deane, Dr Jim McGrath, and Dr Valerie Malka, has clearly proven its commitment to improving and advancing trauma care, both for the people of Western Sydney and farther afield by providing ongoing education with lectures, tutorials, conferences and support as a center for advice, referrals and transfers. Quality improvement has always been a key focus for the Trauma Service, with advances such as the Westmead Trauma App, contributing to standardized trauma processes. Consistent research contributions, both in clinical and system arenas, have also improved trauma care. There is a commitment to training future trauma surgeons, through the Fellowship program. Since inception, there have been surgeons, both local and international who have trained at Westmead, and returned to their home city to become trauma leaders.
It provides all facets of trauma care encompassing the prehospital phase and triage, acute hospital care and specialised rehabilitation. It has also led advances in Public and Community Education, promoting awareness of Trauma Management and Injury Prevention.