Abstract
Objective: Report of a nurse-led clinic to assess varicose veins and, based on locally developed guidelines, only offer treatment to those with skin changes and ulcers in order to reduce the number of patients listed for surgery.
Methods: Over 12 months, 152 patients were seen and 145 diagnosed as having varicose veins.
Results: Surgery was considered necessary for 38% of those with varicose veins. The remaining 62% were not listed for treatment. When compared with the previous 12 months, 53% fewer patients were listed for surgery and the number on the waiting list had fallen by 62%.
Conclusions: This new service was considered to have achieved its aim of reducing the size of the waiting list.
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