About

Welcome

Liverpool Hospital

Welcome to the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (TACS) Unit at Liverpool Hospital. We are a highly experienced team of surgical, medical, nursing, allied health, scientific, and administrative staff that work collaboratively to provide world-class trauma and emergency surgical care. This is the only department of its kind in Australia, being a completely full-time Consultant-led and dedicated service for the care of the severely injured and critically ill emergency general surgical patient.

We are a Level 1 Trauma Centre and have all the components necessary for the optimal specialised care of the trauma patient including injury prevention, a well-established ambulance/retrieval system, all clinical specialties and disciplines for the acute management, a brain injury unit, a rehabilitation team, and a very comprehensive educational and training curriculum as well as research activities.

Liverpool Hospital is a principal referral and teaching Hospital of the University of NSW and the Western Sydney University and welcomes students from over 20 universities and colleges. Our TACS Unit offers overseas Surgeons further education and training in the specialised field of trauma and injury management. 

South Western Sydney is now seen as Australia’s fastest growing region and is also the site of the second International Airport currently under construction. The hospital itself is currently undergoing a near $1billion rebuild and expansion, the first stage due for completion in 2026.

At the TACS Unit, quality patient care is our priority. We are a recognised leader in trauma and emergency surgical care.

Our Mission Statement

At the TACS Unit, quality patient care is our priority. We are a recognised leader in trauma and emergency surgical care. The TACS Unit is committed to providing the highest standard of Trauma and Emergency General Surgery care by:

  • Leadership and excellence in delivering quality trauma and emergency surgery care
  • Expanding the horizons of medical knowledge through multidisciplinary research
  • Educating and training all health professionals involved in the management of the seriously injured or critically ill general surgical patient
  • Improving the health status of the Community with world class Prevention Programs and Initiatives
  • Supporting our District hospitals with the timely and safe transfer of severely injured patients and providing guidance and support.

We are greatly privileged to serve and care for an extraordinary community which is home to people from diverse cultures, religions and languages.

Our Values

We are greatly privileged to serve and care for an extraordinary community which is home to people from diverse cultures, religions and languages. In the pursuit of our mission, our care is at all times guided by the following values:

  • Patient Centred Care
  • Integrity and Dedication
  • Collaboration and Team work
  • Openness and Trust
  • Respect and Tolerance
  • Compassion and Empathy
  • Communication and Accountability
ABOUT US

History

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Dr Valerie Malka is the Director of the Trauma and Acute Care Surgical Unit at Liverpool Hospital. She was the previous Director of Trauma Services at Westmead Hospital for over a decade. She is an EMST Director and DSTC Instructor with a great passion for trauma and acute care surgery. With special interests in education and quality assurance she has worked extensively in patient safety and the maintenance of ethics in healthcare. Valerie has worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Rescue Committee and holds a Diploma in International Humanitarian Assistance from Geneva University and a Master’s Degree in International Public Health with a major in Humanitarian Law. She also holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and works freelance writing medical, health and wellbeing articles.