17 October, 2025
Established in response to the Stardust tragedy in 1981, the National Burns Unit has been a cornerstone of specialised burn care in Ireland for over 40 years. Originally located in Dr Steeven’s Hospital, the unit moved to St James’s Hospital in 1987, where it continues to provide expert, multidisciplinary care to patients aged 14 and over, from across the island of Ireland.
Strategically positioned beside the Emergency Department, the unit ensures rapid assessment and treatment, meeting British Burns Association standards. With a dedicated team of medical professionals, nurses, therapists, and support staff, the unit offers comprehensive care from emergency surgery to long-term rehabilitation. Innovations such as an on-site tissue bank and a Rapid Response Strategy to enhance patient outcomes, while the unit’s ICU capacity supports critical care needs.
Speaking on behalf of the unit, Clinical Facilitator, Sarah Campbell explained; “Joining the Burns Unit at the start of this year, opened my eyes to the extraordinary teamwork, skill and care that goes into burns recovery. No other site provides the level of expert care that we have here in St James’s Hospital.
“From frontline staff to those who work behind the scenes, the unit wouldn’t be where it is today without the hard work, passion and dedication of all those involved and I think it’s important to highlight the incredible work they do. National Burns Awareness Day, is a day to celebrate the incredible people behind every patient’s journey.”
Rachel Condren, Clinical Facilitator of the Burns Unit adds; “Working in the National Burns Unit is a challenging but rewarding job. We have an incredible team committed to providing the best standards of care to our patients. We meet people in the most difficult moments of their lives, and we walk alongside them as they recover.
“Burns nursing encompasses care for patients with severe injuries, management of complex dressings, monitoring of patients who need artificial ventilation, kidney dialysis, multiple surgeries, skin grafting and rehabilitation. This can be a long and difficult process for our patients, but it is full of victories. There are often moments of great celebration in our unit when a patient achieves a goal they've been working towards.”
Maria Grant, Clinical Nurse Manager II, Burns Unit added; “Every day, I have the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team of nurses, doctors, physios, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, pharmacists, and wonderful support staff, each bringing expertise, dedication and heart to everything they do.
“Burns care is complex both physically and emotionally, but it is meaningful work and it’s made possible by a team that never loses sight of the person behind the patient. As we carry the legacy of those who worked here before us, we also look to the future, to continued learning, research and the evolution of best practice but, one thing remains constant, our commitment to care.
Zoe Houlihan said; "As the St James’s Hospital and Foundation’s ambassador and burns survivor, I’m delighted to be at the hospital to support Burns Awareness Day to highlight the work of the National Burns Unit.
“The team here in St James’s go above and beyond to get burn victims to a stage when they can progress and rehabilitate themselves. I want to spotlight all the work that takes place to help burn survivors to live as independently as possible.”
Looking ahead, the Burns Unit is expanding its reach with plans for an all-island care model, increased research activity and the development of a Skin Failure Unit. A new rehabilitation space and disaster response capabilities are also in progress, reinforcing the unit’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and holistic recovery.