Trauma Conference 2000 Is a First in Nova Scotia

More than 400 health professionals will gather in Dartmouth this week to talk about trauma, the leading cause of death among Canadians between the ages of 20 and 40.

Trauma Conference 2000 is the first international conference on trauma to be held in Nova Scotia. It runs from Thursday, May 25, to Saturday, May 27, at the Holiday Inn Harbourview, 99 Wyse Rd., in Dartmouth.

The term trauma applies to serious injuries such as those suffered in car crashes, as well as more common but less serious injuries such as those suffered in minor falls.

"Trauma is the leading cause of lost years of life, and it is extremely important to conduct research and share information that will help us reduce the number of injuries and deaths," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "Nova Scotia has become a leader in pre-hospital emergency medical care and I hope this conference will be yet another step in improving our own health care system, and helping others improve theirs.

"With more than 50,000 in-patient hospital days in Nova Scotia as a result of trauma, it's clear we need to look more closely at prevention while at the same time continue developing our trauma care system so that once someone is injured they receive the right care in the most appropriate place as quickly as possible."

Several sponsors in the insurance industry -- including Marsh Canada, Cunningham and Lindsay, CGU, as well as the Canadian Tire store in Sackville - are backing a unique injury-prevention initiative in conjunction with the conference. Almost 400 bicycle helmets for children have been donated and will be on display during the conference and then delivered to emergency rooms at regional hospitals for distribution to children who need helmets. The helmet program will allow health care providers to address injury prevention with families when children come into emergency departments with minor injuries.

More than 30 trauma care providers, including physicians, nurses, paramedics and rehabilitation specialists, will give presentations.

Trauma Conference 2000 is being hosted by the Department of Health's Emergency Health Services, and has been organized by staff from its trauma program. The trauma program was established by Emergency Health Services in 1997 to ensure optimal trauma care through prevention, education, research and system development.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A pyramid of 400 children's bicycle helmets will be available for viewing on Friday, May 26. Reporters and photographers are welcome to visit the conference, attend presentations and talk with delegates. The conference runs from Thursday, May 25, to Saturday, May 27, at the Holiday Inn Harbourview, 99 Wyse Rd., in Dartmouth.