THE John Radcliffe Hospital is set to become a major trauma centre for the south from next month.

Last year the Government announced plans for stroke, major trauma and vascular surgery patients to be treated by specialist staff concentrated in a smaller number of hospitals around the country.

It said the move will save lives, improve patient recovery and reduce the chance of patients suffering long-term disabilities.

The JR will provide treatment to the most seriously injured and complex patients, supported by other hospitals across the region.

The designated major trauma centres will provide direct access to specialist teams and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that the most seriously injured patients receive immediate treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When it is not possible to get to a major trauma centre within 45 minutes, or where the patient needs to be stabilised quickly, the patient would be taken to the nearest hospital with a local trauma unit for immediate treatment and stabilisation before being transferred.

The Oxford University Hospitals Trust discussed plans at a recent board meeting.

Chief executive Sir Jonathan Michael said: “Once discharged from a major trauma centre, local trauma units will provide ongoing treatment and rehabilitation for patients.

“The John Radcliffe Hospital will be designated as a major trauma centre from April 2, 2012, the date of the national launch of the new system.

“The Trust is taking a phased approach to implementation and the centre will become fully operational over a period of six months.”