The case for change and co-dependencies framework for the specialised burns project has been published on behalf of the London, South East Coast, South Central and East of England specialised commissioning groups.
Although severe burn injury affects only a small number of adults and children each year, these people can have very complex and ongoing care needs. To ensure that their injuries are treated appropriately and to achieve the best outcomes, they need to be cared for by a team of specialist staff who have access to the appropriate resources.
Ken Dunn, Chair of the specialised burns clinical expert panel and Consultant surgeon in burns and plastic surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Trust, said: “For patients with serious and complex burn injuries, both the patient and their families need to be confident that services are accessible and the care provided is up-to-date and optimal to give them the best chance of recovery.
“Services providing care to patients with burn injuries need to be supported by the right team and infrastructure to provide that level of care.”
Over the last ten years, several reviews have made recommendations to improve specialised burn care services, including the development of national burn care standards. These recommendations have never been fully implemented in London and South East England.
A model of care, focusing on recommendations to improve the delivery of care including recommendations relating to care pathways and network working, has been signed off by the clinical expert panel and will be published shortly.
The next stage of the project will involve a process to decide on the long term arrangements to deliver specialised burn care for people in London and South East England, at a centre, unit and facility level.
Further information on the specialised burns project can be found in the regular bulletin or on our website.
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