BURY patients needing treatment for serious or life-threatening injuries will now be taken to hospital in Salford.

The go-ahead has been given for Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust to become the lead for the Greater Manchester Major Trauma Service.

Currently, paramedics must decide whether to send patients in Bury to one of three major trauma centres in Greater Manchester — Wythenshawe, Manchester Royal Infirmary or Salford.

NHS England leaders said it was an "important step" in saving lives and improving recovery for patients who have sustained multiple, serious injuries that could result in death or serious disability.

They claim that, by bringing services together at one hospital, it will mean faster transfer to hospital as paramedics no longer need to make a decision on where to go.

Dr Chris Brookes, Salford Royal's executive medical director and clinical director for Greater Manchester Major Trauma service, said: "Staff at Salford Royal are looking forward to providing high quality care to major trauma patients from across the conurbation and will be working with colleagues across the network to ensure patients receive reliable major trauma care.

"A key component of these new arrangements will be increased focus on rehabilitation care post major trauma, with particular attention on neuro-rehabilitation for those patients who have suffered head injuries."

Although work will begin immediately, the change will be phased in, and take around two years for the full plan to be completed.

NHS England said it would continue to engage with the public throughout any changes to services.

Heather Edwards, head of communications at the hospital, said that patients in Bury would see no change.

She said: "Major trauma centres care for those patients with the most complex or multiple injuries — including those that affect organs or the brain — and Salford already take Bury patients for this."