Trauma is a leading cause not only of death worldwide but also of disability, and in Hong Kong it ranks sixth as a cause of death for all age groups. The implementation of trauma systems has improved the survival of injured patients in many settings including Hong Kong. However, the aim of trauma care for the injured person is not only to prolong life but also to restore patients to the best possible health status, and where applicable, to return to work. Survivors of trauma often experience late sequelae that have a major impact on almost all aspects of everyday life, and improvements in functional outcome and health status may continue for at least five years post-injury.