The South West Burns Clinical Network (SWBCN) was formally established in January 2006, although collaboration between South West England and South Wales services has a much longer history.  Following formal designation of burn services in 2009, the SWBCN is now made up of a tiered model of specialised burn care services consisting of Centres, Units and Facilities.

Definition of Services

• Burn Centre: This level of in-patient burn care is for the highest level of injury complexity and offers a separately staffed, geographically discrete ward. The facilities are up to highest level of critical care and have immediate operating theatre access.
• Burn Unit: This level of in-patient burn care is for the moderate level of injury complexity and offers a separately staffed, discrete ward.
• Burn Facility: This level of in-patient burn care equates to a standard plastic surgical ward for the care of non-complex burn injuries.

For more detail about each services referral threshold, please click on links below:

• Welsh Centre for Burns & Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital
• South West UK Children's Burns Centre, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
• Bristol Adult Burns Unit, Southmead Hospital
• Salisbury Children & Adult Burn Unit, Salisbury District Hospital
• Plymouth Children & Adult Burns Facility, Derriford Hospital

In 2013, North Bristol NHS Trust took over as Host Provider of the SWBCN. As Host Provider they support the employment and operating functions of the network, following national guidance. NHS England Specialised Commissioning retains funding to allocate to the network via the Host Provider and hold responsibility for the governance arrangements for network.

The SWBCN has a population of approximately 10 million, serving the South West of England, parts of South Central England and South, Mid and West Wales.