The British Burn Association (BBA) acknowledges the recent publication titled “Infection Prevention and Control in Burns Services: Guidance from the Healthcare Infection Society”.  We wish to make it explicitly clear that this document has not been endorsed by the BBA.

Following a considered and detailed review by the BBA Board and relevant clinical leads within the Association, we have determined that the content and recommendations contained in this guidance do not reflect the consensus or accepted best practices within the specialist burns community. The document was developed without sufficient engagement with burns service stakeholders and does not adequately address the nuanced clinical and operational challenges faced in specialist burn care.

As such, the BBA does not accept this guidance as a replacement or update to the previously endorsed document: “Infection Prevention and Control for Specialist Burn Services – BBA and NHS England, 2014 (updated 2018)”. The latter remains the current and authoritative guidance recognised by the BBA and its membership.

We urge healthcare professionals, burns services, and infection prevention teams to continue to follow the previously endorsed BBA/NHS England guidance until such time as any revised, evidence-based and multidisciplinary consensus document is formally approved and adopted by the BBA.

The British Burn Association remains committed to supporting high standards of care, informed by robust evidence and meaningful collaboration between specialties. We welcome future opportunities to work alongside infection prevention experts to ensure that any updated guidance reflects both infection control principles and the unique requirements of burn care.

Nicole Lee
British Burn Association Chair