Aim: The provision of plastic surgery trauma care varies widely between hospitals in the United Kingdom. We evaluate our trauma service and illustrate the use of quality improvement models to improve care. Methods: All patients attending a plastic surgery trauma clinic at a single hospital over 3 consecutive months in 2014 were prospectively studied. Patient demographics, injury modality, diagnosis, timing of events, nil by mouth time, treatment delays, theatre efficiency, coding accuracy,

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... ng, outcomes and complications were analysed. Results: A total of 229 patients with a mean age of 43 years (range 1e92) were evaluated. Lacerations accounted for 58% of injuries. The majority of patients (74%) were seen within 24 hours of referral and 41% were discharged on the first visit. Procedures were required for 82% of patients with 64% performed in the outpatient clinic and 34% in theatre. For the latter, 62% were operated within 24 h and the average time was 51 h (range 3e200). Over 75% of delays and cancellations were due to lack of capacity. Conclusion: Delays in trauma treatment remain common as they are not target-driven. Using quality improvement models such as lean thinking and rapid cycle change we implemented solutions resulting in improved care.