A campaign to reduce the number of people suffering life-changing burns and scalds across the UK has been given a much-needed boost by a health technology company.
Every year around 18,500 people suffer serious burns and scalds in the UK and Spectral AI hopes to help cut this number by sponsoring National Burn Awareness Day which is taking place on Wednesday, October 16.
The cause is close to the company’s heart because its DeepView® technology is giving NHS doctors and nurses at hospitals across the country a prediction of how burn wounds will heal on the day an injury occurs. Healthcare professionals can use the prediction, alongside their clinical judgement, to quickly determine the best course of treatment for their patient.
Spectral AI Executive Vice President Professor Paul Chadwick said: “Burns injuries are for life. They leave mental as well as physical scars and can mean years of painful treatment.
“Last year 18,500 adults and children suffered serious burns and scalds. Horrifyingly, this figure only relates to the most serious incidents – it doesn’t include the thousands more who were seen by A&E departments.
“By backing this year’s National Burn Awareness Day, we want to help people to learn how they can avoid some of the most common causes of burns and scalds and reduce the numbers of people suffering these life-changing injuries.”
Every day 30 babies and toddlers go to hospital with a hot drink burn and last year nearly 650 children were admitted to an NHS Burns Service due to injuries relating to an electric hob. Almost 450 children were also admitted to the service following accidents involving kettle spills.
The Children’s Burns Trust works alongside the British Burn Association to grow the momentum of National Burn Awareness Day each year.
Children’s Burns Trust Chair of Trustees, Princess Marina Lobanov Rostovsky said: “As is the case for so many charities, Children’s Burns Trust has experienced a tumultuous few years financially following the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“Fundraising and engagement from corporate organisations is the lifeblood of the charity’s work and we are so grateful to those who support us in this way.
“The incredible support from Spectral AI for National Burn Awareness Day 2024 provides a real boost to our prevention and awareness activity, for which there is no national funding.
“The generous support from the Spectral AI team will help our aim of reducing the number of burned and scalded children, and we’re looking forward to partnering with them this year, and in the future.”
In the weeks leading up to National Burn Awareness Day, Spectral AI will be sharing burn prevention tips and first aid advice on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
The Children’s Burns Trust has also created a series of helpful downloadable resources in the Campaigns area of its website at https://cbtrust.org.uk.
To find out more about Spectral AI and its DeepView® technology, visit https://www.spectral-ai.com/uk/.
