STAFF at the Mersey Burns Unit in Whiston Hospital have succeeded in organising the North West's first-ever support group for post-burned patients.

BRAVO (Burns Rehabilitation and Voluntary Organisation) has been set up by St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals Trust. It was initiated by nursing staff currently working on the burns unit after they identified a need for the service.

The group aims to offer long-term support to patients and their families and friends to erase the traumatic mental scars caused by burns injuries. Support staff say they have already been well received by patients, some of whom have waited 25 years for such a service.

No appointments or referrals are necessary at BRAVO as the group operates an 'Open House Policy' and patients can attend whenever they want, with or without their family and friends.

In addition, people suffering from body scars which have not been caused by a burns injury can also attend the group.

BRAVO's first group meeting will be held next month and guest of honour will be James Partridge, himself a former burns patient who now runs the Changing Faces charity and has shown support and encouragement for the Burns Unit Support Group.

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