Burns Outreach Bus will travel closer to patients

A world-renowned burns unit has said it will hit the road and travel to patients who are unable to get to clinics.

The Burns Outreach Bus is the first of its kind in England and its nurses will help patients with burn wound care, the NHS says.

The medics from St Andrew's Burns Centre, at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, are due to park up at locations in Ipswich and Ely next week.

David Barnes, clinical lead for burns at the centre, said many patients usually travel up to 240 miles to attend regular appointments.

"This can be costly and physically difficult, especially for those with mobility issues or living in remote areas," he said.

The bus, also known as BOB by the team, is a fully equipped mobile dressing clinic.

Sue Boasman, burns advanced nurse practitioner, said: "This is the first mobile burns dressing clinic of its kind in the country, and we're excited about its potential to serve as a model for other burns centres across the UK.

"By making burns care more accessible we hope to reduce health inequalities and improve the quality of life for our patients."

The bus is about the size of an ambulance, and is equipped with reclining couches, dressing trolleys, and is staffed by specialist burns nurses and therapists.

The mobile clinic will travel to large Tesco supermarket car parks, on pre-arranged days, where patients can book appointments.

Tara Hanmer, senior sister for burns outpatients and outreach, said: "I'm so immensely proud of my team, who have embraced the concept, which includes driving around a 3,000kg, 7.5m (25ft) bus."

The project will be piloted for one year following donations from the London and South East Burns Network and the Doris Macer Foundation.

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