The History of B.U.G.S.
B.U.G.S. was conceived in Kathmandu , Nepal in 1998 when one of the Plastic Surgeons, the Unit Sister at the time, and the Specialist Physiotherapist were asked to spend time advising in the only Children's Burns Unit in Nepal . It was a salutary visit. They met many children with terrible burns. The isolation experienced by some of those children when they returned home to their hillside villages reminded the physiotherapist of observations she had made back in England, - that some people found it hard to reintegrate into their community after being discharged from the Unit. They felt isolated and missed the cocoon provided by the Unit. It prompted the physiotherapist to try once more to set up a support network.
Although Burns Unit staff at Salisbury District Hospital had previously tried to set up a support network which would ease the transition from hospital to home, attempts had failed. This, even though helpful links had been established with the Guinea Pig Club, a group of airmen who were burned during World War II and who supported each ever after.
The attempt in 1999 worked! Nepal gave Salisbury's Burns Unit a Support Group! A new Unit Sister was enthusiastic, as was the assistant Physiotherapist who worked in the Unit. An ex-patient was keen to achieve the same objective. She had been trying to set up a support network independently, utilizing information produced by an organisation called Changing Faces. So, with the encouragement of the present Director of the Odstock Centre for Burns, Eunan Tiernan, four people met to discuss the formation of a support network (See below).
What was the Support system to be called? The Burns Unit Support Group seemed obvious. A Logo was needed; the ladybird used today was found. The letters were moved around to create BUGS. This name had to be altered to provide a unique name as the Charities Commission Website showed several other Bugs organisations. With the dots between the letters– B.U.G.S. was born and became an official Charity in 2000.
Founder members
Three Founder members were working with patients at the time.
Jayne Scott- Physiotherapy assistant; Janet Tromans –Unit Sister;
Jenny Collings – Specialist Physiotherapist; Julia Chute – An Ex-patient
How has B.U.G.S. developed?
Initially B.U.G.S. planned to be an entirely independent charity. However, the Hospital Board Chairman at the time suggested that it would be better to be independent, but under the umbrella of the hospital. This has proved to have been a very helpful suggestion. The Hospital has gained an additional service, while B.U.G.S. is assured support for the lay volunteers, including training and insurance etc. The charity holds their own account within the hospital finance department, who act as auditors, so most of the money raised goes directly into care for people who have been burned.
In 2003, when Salisbury District Hospital began planning a new wing which would house a new Burns Unit as well as other wards, B.U.G.S. was asked to be involved as patient advocates. B.U.G.S. were very keen that patients recovering from a burn accident and who might be in hospital for many months, should have access to fresh air and a garden as well as a good view and a room where patients could find peace and quiet away from the ward area. Although the building project eventually chosen denied most patients the view and the garden, a Quiet Room was created and a very kind donor funded the furnishings and a mural.
B.U.G.S. quiet room mural with the artist Emma Scott and Vice Chairman, Julia Chute
The move into the new Unit took place in May 2006. The volunteers were on hand to support the staff during the move. The sister at the time said “B.U.G.S. was a huge help in the run up to the move when Volunteers helped with the packing up. On the day of the move they were on the Unit from first thing in the morning, helping with the breakfasts, last minute packing and helping to transfer the patients. They were there to welcome the patients onto the new Unit and to settle them in and spent the day unpacking and sorting out whatever needed doing. Nothing was too much trouble and their smiling faces and offers of cups of tea to the staff and patients were much appreciated. They then came in for several days following the move to help with the final unpacking and settling in.”
Since conception B.U.G.S. has become well known amongst patients treated in Salisbury, and over time, across the large Wessex Region, through fairs, fetes and presentations. It is also becoming well known amongst other Burns Units. It is one of the few Support Groups which has adult and children as members.
What do B.U.G.S. do?
Whatever will help patients, and ideas are welcomed from them too. The committee are very creative and, amongst other things, have produced several books to help people understand their injury better. Emergency packs of toiletries were introduced in 2006, for it is unusual to have a toothbrush etc. at an accident site! A Hand Masseuse was introduced in 2008 to ease the effects of the injury. A website was created in 2005.
Annually, children can apply for funding to attend Burned Children’s Club camps where they spend time having fun with other children like themselves, and recently some children benefited from getting together to create a percussion CD at a special workshop. Adults have benefited from discretionary grants. A newsletter is produced twice a year. The first story books about Bugsy who suffers from a burn and recovers was introduced in 2008 when B.U.G.S. also funded local burns research. A clinical psychology project was funded for a year in 2008-9.
Lay volunteers are recruited with the help of the Volunteer Services Department at the hospital. Ideally volunteers have some knowledge of great trauma, if not burns, so the committee are very careful in their recruitment.
The committee of three lay members and two NHS voluntary staff members is formed from a very small band of dedicated people. Without the donations received B.U.G.S. could only do the basic thing of visiting people on the ward and being present during clinic times to support people by allowing them time to chat if they want to.
Children at the National Burned Children’s Camp
It is now 10 years since BUGS became officially established. The achievements are many and various.
Achievements Over 10 years
- A Dedicated Volunteer Group
- A Creative committee
- A quiet room
- Improved outlook from Unit
- Improved outlook within the Unit
- Reclining beds for parents
- Buggies for children
- Emergency packs of toiletries
- Books of information for Adults and Parent
- Story books for children
- Information video
- Hand Massage
- Website
- Newsletters
- Discretionary Grants for Adults
- Grants for children to attend Peer Camps
- Conduit for other international camps
- Attempt at peer support through children's parties, outings and workshops
- Attempt at Adult support though formal meetings
- Ward visiting
- Outpatient support
- Public Education through talks
- Patient advocacy
- Fund Raising through Stalls
- Community Nomination for a Waitrose Community Grant
Contribution to :-
- Medical training in Burn Care
- Improving Clinical Psychology
- Local Burns Research
- Accreditation of Unit by Bournemouth University
- Achieving NBCR Standards of Care
- National Strategy for Burn Care