Advancing trauma care: NCCTRC at the 2025 ANZTS Conference
10 Dec 2025
Written by Erika Lu
The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) Trauma Service team joined more than 300 delegates at the the 2025 Australia and New Zealand Trauma Society (ANZTS) Conference in New Zealand, sharing expertise in trauma care, clinical training and research.
Funded by the Australian Government, NCCTRC presented a series of lectures and poster sessions – highlighting strategies that strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration and improve patient outcomes across Northern Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
Key presentations
Nursing Director of Trauma Service Jenny Santhosh delivered Remote, Resilient, Remarkable: A trauma service that thrives in the face of distance, diversity and demand as part of the Multidisciplinary Trauma Forum with. Her session showcased NCCTRC’s unique trauma model, AUSMAT capabilities, and outreach programs such as Remote Area Trauma Education (RATE), Remote Pre-Hospital Trauma and Disaster Course (RPHTDC) and Australian Trauma Team Training (ATTT).
“All delegates were impressed by the depth of capability and practical value of our training programs,” Jenny said.
Allied Health specialists Maria Melas and Clee Tonkin delivered Grabbing the bull by the horns – Adult traumatic brain injuries at Royal Darwin Hospital, presenting findings from a clinical audit that identified gaps in early rehabilitation and opportunities for improved recovery pathways.
From simulation to community safety: NCCTRC’s trauma initiatives
Trauma in the Tropics, led by Dr Claire Gorham, Deputy Director of NCCTRC Trauma Service, focused on Royal Darwin Hospital’s new in-situ trauma simulation program, enabling multidisciplinary teams to practice realistic scenarios and strengthen communication under pressure.
Since April 2025, clinicians from medical, nursing, allied health, emergency, intensive care unit, anaesthetics and surgical teams have participated in simulation-based training, practicing five realistic trauma scenarios. External stakeholders, including St. John Ambulance and specialist surgeons, also contributed to ensure realistic, collaborative learning.
“The training provides a safe environment for teams to work together under pressure while strengthening communication and trust,” Dr Gorham explained. “It prepares clinicians to manage complex cases with the resources available in the Northern Territory, where geographical isolation and limited access to specialist resources can create unique challenges for timely care.”
The poster was highly regarded at the ANZTS conference, with Jenny noting it stood out as one of the strongest poster presentations. It received commendation for its practical impact and quality.
The second poster, Behind the Bang, co-presented by the NCCTRC Trauma Service and the Royal Darwin Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, examined trends in burns presentations over the past decade around Territory Day – an annual event marking the Northern Territory’s self-governance with fireworks and community festivities.
This study supports the hospital’s burns awareness campaigns, ensures clinical readiness during anticipated surges, and reflects the Centre’s commitment to proactive, data-informed trauma burns care.
Both posters demonstrate the NCCTRC’s dedication to building clinical capability, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and using evidence to guide trauma and emergency preparedness across the Northern Territory:
“This conference allowed our team to collaborate with clinicians across Australia, New Zealand and internationally – strengthening both trauma systems and research capabilities,” Jenny noted.
Jenny also highlighted the broader relevance of NCCTRC’s work.
The trauma service model supports clinical readiness locally and enhances preparedness for health emergencies across the Indo-Pacific region.
The NCCTRC’s contribution in the conference demonstrates how multidisciplinary training and coordinated care pathways can improve patient outcomes, even in geographically isolated and resource-limited settings.
