Trauma Care at Hamilton Health Sciences
This guide is for families whose loved one has been transferred to Hamilton Health Sciences for specialized trauma care following a serious accident.
What Families Need to Know About Trauma Care in Hamilton and Surrounding Areas
Families across Hamilton, Niagara, Burlington, Brantford, and other nearby communities are often introduced to Hamilton Health Sciences after a serious accident. Hamilton General Hospital serves as the region’s Level 1 trauma centre.
Transfers to Hamilton can feel sudden and overwhelming, especially for families coming from outside the city. These decisions are made to ensure patients receive specialized trauma care, expertise, and equipment as quickly as possible.
Why patients are transferred to Hamilton Health Sciences
Hamilton Health Sciences serves a large geographic area and treats patients injured in motor vehicle collisions, industrial accidents, falls from height, and agricultural or workplace incidents.
Hamilton Health Sciences commonly treats:
Traumatic Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Polytrauma Involving Multiple Body Systems
Severe Orthopaedic Injuries
Transfers are made to support the highest level of care, not because earlier care was insufficient.
ICU and trauma team structure
Trauma care at Hamilton Health Sciences involves coordinated teams of surgeons, intensivists, nurses, and specialists. Families may notice rapid changes in treatment plans as more information becomes available.
ICU admission allows for stabilization and close monitoring. Early prognoses often change over time.
The family experience
Families often feel pulled in multiple directions during this time. Travel, accommodation, and time away from work can quickly add to the stress.
You are not expected to take on complex insurance systems or long-term planning while everything is still unfolding. Those pieces can be addressed with the right support as things stabilize.
However, some paperwork does need attention early. Accident benefits (SABS) applications are typically required within 7 days, and getting them started can help prevent delays later on.
This can be handled with support, so it is not something you need to manage on your own.
LINKS TO GUIDES
Frequently Asked Questions Families Often Ask in Hospital
Why are patients transferred to Hamilton Health Sciences from other hospitals?
Hamilton Health Sciences serves as a regional Level 1 trauma centre for a large geographic area. Transfers are made to ensure access to specialized trauma teams, advanced equipment, and comprehensive critical care.
Does a long transfer mean the injury is worse?
No. Transfers are based on the level of care required, not necessarily the severity of outcome. Patients are often transferred to Hamilton to receive specialized treatment that is not available locally.
What types of injuries are treated at Hamilton Health Sciences?
Hamilton Health Sciences commonly treats traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, severe orthopaedic trauma, and multiple injuries resulting from motor vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, and falls.
How long do patients stay in the ICU at Hamilton Health Sciences?
ICU stays vary depending on medical stability and response to treatment. Early timelines are often uncertain and may change as the patient stabilizes.
What happens after trauma care at Hamilton Health Sciences?
After stabilization, patients may transition to rehabilitation centres such as Toronto Rehabilitation Institute or West Park Healthcare Centre, or receive ongoing care closer to home when appropriate.