Referral Criteria

Adults and children with the following injuries should be discussed with your local Specialised Burn Service.  Telephone support and advice on initial care of any patient with a burn injury is available at all times.

For further contact details and how to make a referral to a Specialised Burn Service visit: How to make a Referral.

National Burn Care Referral Guidance

SWUK Referral Guidance Diagram Paediatrics

SWUK Referral Guidance Diagram Adults

CAUSE
  • Inhalation injury
  • Deep dermal and full thickness
  • Electrical
  • Chemical
  • Burns with trauma

AFFECTED AREA
  • Face, hands, genitals, feet, joints, scalp, ears
  • Circumferential

SIZE
  • >1% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) in children
  • >3% TBSA in adults

AGE
  • Neonates (<28 days old)

WOUND
  • Not healed within two weeks
  • Infected

DISCUSS
  • Suspected non-accidental injury, mental health history or self-harm
  • Progressive non-burn skin loss conditions (TENS, SJS, Necrotising Fasciitis)
  • Significant co-morbidity (eg diabetes) or immunocompromised patients
  • Friction burns with full thickness skin loss
  • Cold burns with full thickness skin loss
  • Older people (60+)
  • Children "unwell" with a burn (consider Toxic Shock Syndrome/Burns Sepsis Syndrome)
  • Any other case that causes concern

Source: London & South East Burn Network

TSS