S. Korea to introduce 'hub trauma centers' to ensure timely care for all critical patients

The government is accepting applications through Aug. 31 from regional trauma centers capable of treating the most critical patients and severe trauma cases that cannot be accommodated in certain regions, offering up to 7.7 billion won ($5.17 million) per institution under a new hub trauma center support project.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Monday it will accept applications from regional trauma centers wishing to participate in the newly launched hub trauma center installation and support project through Aug. 31.

The government has designated and supported 17 regional trauma centers nationwide since 2014, when it began with three centers, to sustain care for severe trauma patients.

Disparities in local medical environments and institutional capacity have left some centers struggling to treat severe trauma patients, prompting the introduction of hub trauma centers to strengthen the medical safety net for such cases.

Hub trauma centers will use dedicated emergency medical helicopters — known as doctor helicopters — and other means to receive severe trauma patients who cannot be accommodated in certain regions and provide definitive care, while also taking full responsibility for the most critical cases involving high-complexity and specialized trauma.

Institutions selected through this round of applications will receive up to 7.71 billion won per center — comprising 5.46 billion won for facility and equipment upgrades tied to expanded functions, and 2.25 billion won for the installation and operation of helicopter landing pads and related infrastructure.

Selected regional trauma centers must meet operational standards, including treating at least 1,300 trauma patients annually, handling at least 400 severe trauma cases per year, building a regional trauma care network, and keeping total annual hours during which patient intake is restricted — due to trauma ICU saturation or similar constraints — to no more than 500 hours.

Regional trauma centers wishing to participate must submit an application and project plan to the Ministry of Health and Welfare by Aug. 31.

Lee Jung-gyu, the ministry's director general of public health policy, said he hopes the new hub trauma center system and broader severe trauma care framework will ensure that every critically injured patient across the country receives optimal treatment when it matters most. "We will work to ensure the hub trauma centers take root successfully and stabilize at an early stage," he said.