Trauma National Clinical Network Te Hononga Whētuki ā-Motu

The Trauma National Clinical Network aims to improve the outcomes for those who experience major trauma.


About the Trauma National Clinical Network

The Trauma National Clinical Network manages the operational aspects of our national work plan. The group serves as a key link between regional and national networks. Members include the national clinical co-leads and programme manager, the 4 regional clinical leads and representatives from:

  • nursing
  • allied health
  • ACC
  • the ambulance sector
  • community rehabilitation.

Network strategic objectives

The Trauma National Clinical Network has 6 strategic objectives.

  1. Right time, right place, right person
    All patients receive high quality, time critical trauma care throughout their trauma journey from the point of injury and throughout their recovery
  2. Partnership
    Partner with consumers and their whānau to co-design services to create better outcomes and patient and whānau experiences.
  3. Excellence for Māori through equity
    Work with Te Tiriti partners and communities to explore how to provide excellent trauma care and improve trauma prevention.
  4. Workforce
    Establish trauma and associated rehabilitation as speciality skillsets in order to increase the capacity and capability of the trauma healthcare workforce.
  5. Prevention
    Engage with all interested parties, highlighting the impact of trauma on the population, to ensure that trauma prevention is prioritised.
  6. Networking
    Practice an ethos of connection and collaboration, supported by pathways of care so patients and their whanāu experience high quality seamless services. Aligned to strategic imperatives locally, regionally and nationally.

Network members

Name Position or role Organisation
Dr James Moore National Trauma Co-Lead Consultant Anaesthestist and Intensive Care Physician Wellington Hospital Health NZ
Dr Max Raos National Trauma Co-Lead
Emergency Physician
Middlemore Hospital Health NZ
Belinda Gabbe Research Lead Monash University, Australia Health NZ
Caroline Juniot Health Sector Partnerships Manager ACC
Dr Christine Howard-Brown Chief Executive Represents feedback to and from:
  • Health and Wellbeing National Rehabilitation Providers Group
  • NZ Spinal Cord Injury Registry
ABI Rehabilitation Evolution Healthcare
Claire Hitchcock Trauma Nurse Coordinator Nelson Marlborough Health NZ
Clare Swanson Trauma Clinical Nurse Specialist Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty Health NZ
Associate Professor Grant Christey Trauma Specialist Te Mana Taki Regional Lead Waikato Hospital Health NZ
Dr James McKay Trauma Surgeon and Intensive Care Physician, Te Waipounamu Clinical Lead Christchurch Hospital Health NZ
Jess Drummond Programme Manager Trauma Te Tāhū Hauora
Julie Wilson Health Partner ACC
Kat Quick Clinical Lead — Trauma Rehabilitation Te Tāhū Hauora
Kevin Henshall Clinical Nurse Specialist Trauma Counties Manukau Health NZ
Dr Louise Venter Rural Hospital and Emergency Medicine Specialist Lakes Hospital Health NZ
Mary Gorton Occupational Therapist ICU Educator   Te Waipounamu  Health NZ
Dr Osman (Oz) Mansoor Medical Officer of Health
PHM Specialist
Tairawhiti Health NZ
Dr Ryan Salter Anaesthetist and Intensive Care Specialist Central Regional Lead Wellington Hospital Health NZ
Dr Savitha Bhagvan  Trauma Surgeon Northern Regional Lead Te Toka Tumai Auckland Health NZ
Sarah Shannon Trauma Service Allied Health Clinical Lead Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty Health NZ
Dr Tony Smith Deputy Clinical Director   Hato Hone St John
Placeholder Primary Care Placeholder
Placeholder Group Director Operations Health NZ

Rōpū Rangatira

Part of the new structure of the Trauma National Clinical Network are 5 expert workstreams, Rōpū Rangatira.

  1. Injury Prevention.
  2. Pre-Hospital and Acute Care.
  3. Rehabilitation and Transitions of Care.
  4. NZ Trauma Registry, Data and Insights.
  5. Trauma Quality Improvement.

These Rōpū Rangatira are comprised of local, regional and national leaders who will:

  • understand service delivery across the continuum of care, and be prepared to think innovatively to bring about improvements
  • be committed to and understand equity and variation and how it impacts on people experiencing the effects of trauma and uphold the mana of Māori whānau
  • be able to evaluate different issues and perspectives and work in a way that facilitates collaboration among the different stakeholders
  • actively seek information and/or advice from others to help inform the work of the group and provide feedback to their constituency/district as appropriate
  • communicate and report back on a regular basis from their own district, agency, or region.

Rōpū Rangatira leads

Name Rōpū Rangatira Organisation
Dr Oz Mansoor Injury prevention Health NZ
Paul Kennedy Injury prevention ACC
Dr Tony Smith Acute care and out-of-hospital Hato Hone St John
Dr Chris Duncan Acute care and out-of-hospital Health NZ
Kat Quick Rehabilitation and transitions of care Te Tāhū Hauora
Sarah Shannon Rehabilitation and transitions of care Health NZ
Dr Melissa Barry NZ trauma registry, data and insights ACC
Prof Ian Civil NZ trauma registry, data and insights Health NZ
Mr Grant Christey Trauma quality improvement Health NZ
Jessica Lockett Trauma quality improvement Te Tāhū Hauora

Contact us

Complete our online message form or find our addresses.

Contact the National Trauma Network