A pioneering Burns Bus is continuing to give life-changing care across Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and London for hundreds of patients, after securing funding for a second year.
The Burns Outreach Bus – known as BOB for short – is the first of its kind in the UK and is a fully equipped mobile dressing clinic staffed by specialist burns nurses and therapists.
It brings specialist wound care, scar therapy and follow-up support closer to patients’ homes, offering over 1,000 appointments in a year.
It has now secured £68,000 for a second year of funding, thanks to the generosity of supporters of Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity. The continuation of the service means that hundreds more patients will benefit from convenient, accessible burns-related treatment during what can be an emotional and challenging recovery period.
Sue Boasman, Burns Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Thanks to the continued generosity of community supporters, we are delighted to be able to keep providing specialist burns care closer to home for our most vulnerable patients. It means they no longer have to travel long, difficult journeys to the St Andrew’s Burns Centre at Broomfield Hospital – we come to them.
“Families have told us how much less stressful the Burns Bus is, especially for children, and many are benefiting from shorter journeys, lower travel costs and well-run clinics. It has also had a positive environmental impact, saving an estimated 60,000 miles of patient travel in our first year.”
A relative – who’s aunt has been using BOB since it started last year, said: “Without the bus my auntie would not be able to have the care she needs for her burns as getting to Chelmsford would be impossible on a weekly basis. All the staff are lovely and care greatly about their patients. We cannot thank you enough.”
Another, a mum to twin boys, said: “To all the nurses on BOB, thank you so much for the outstanding care, kindness and professionalism you showed while treating our baby after a burn injury. Your compassion, patience and dedication meant more to us than words can express during such a difficult time. We will never forget your kindness.”
The bus operates from large supermarket car parks at pre-arranged locations, allowing children and adults with burns injuries to receive expert care without the physical strain, cost or time commitment of repeated hospital visits.
Lucy Thomas-Clayton, Director of Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, said: “We are incredibly proud to extend funding for this groundbreaking service for another year. Every donation we receive, whether from individuals, community groups or local businesses, has helped make this possible. Our supporters are directly improving the lives of burns patients and their families, ensuring they can access specialist care outside of a hospital environment.”
