do-the-nhs-treat-varicose-veins
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Over 40 years of expert care
Best UK Group & 5 star reviews
Nationwide Clinics
Do the NHS treat varicose veins?
You want your varicose veins treated in the smoothest and easiest way possible. But what are your options? We discuss the NHS’s approach to correcting varicose veins, including the delay that may be involved in treatment.
So you don’t have to compromise on your and safety and waste any time (if you are for NHS treatment), we discuss what The Private Clinic can offer you.
Will the NHS treat my varicose veins?
The simple answer is no. The NHS will not usually treat varicose veins for cosmetic reasons, but will treat suffering from pain, discomfort or experiencing severe complications with their varicose veins although you will have to meet various grading criterias to qualify.
If you have blue veins or your veins are large and unsightly, but not causing any physical problems then NHS will not be able to help and will advise you to seek private vein treatment instead.
Am I suitable for varicose vein treatment on the NHS?
The NHS Vein Grading System shows how the NHS grade the severity of varicose veins and what they can do at each stage. This system also reveals the potential complications that can arise if you do fail to treat your once they begin to cause pain.
Grades 3-6 complications are serious and can impact your quality of life. It’s also important to note some of these conditions may also arise as adverse effects of surgical vein stripping or ligation which is the NHS’s most common choice of varicose vein treatment so it may also be worth researching what varicose treatments are available before deciding to go ahead with NHS treatment.
What are the NHS varicose veins treatments?
If you are found suitable for NHS treatment, this does not guarantee a quick solution. A significant wait may be required before you can be determined eligible for a vein procedure.
Treatment on the NHS begins by trialling moderate measures including wearing compression and lifestyle such as regular exercise, your diet, avoiding standing for long periods and elevating the area while resting.
Your doctor may also prescribe you painkillers as well as cream to resolve skin conditions related to your varicose veins and may advise up to six-months of such self-care measures.The issue with this tactic, is that your suffering is lengthened, during which time the condition may become worse and develop into something more serious.
If moderate treatments are found to be unsuccessful, then the NHS may decide to one of three procedures:
The challenge of treating varicose veins, however, is their reoccurring nature. With surgical stripping in particular, there is a high recurrence rate; the old fashion method has a 2-year recurrence rate of 33%, 41% after five years and 70% after 10 years. Another problem is that repeat treatments can also be significantly more complicated than in the initial treatment.
Are you having difficulty receiving treatment for your varicose veins on the NHS?
It is becoming increasingly difficult to receive treatment for varicose veins on the NHS. This is despite the fact that many patients who have the condition also suffer from often severe side effects including tired, aching, heavy and swollen legs. As NHS funding continues to be squeezed, varicose vein treatments are increasingly being classed as a cosmetic or aesthetic concern rather than a medical issue and thus treatment is usually denied.
If you suffer from varicose veins, it is always worth getting a second opinion if you are initially denied treatment. However, if your Primary Care Trust has imposed strict guidelines on offering treatment, then the are you will still be turned away.
This means that for many people seeking self-pay privately is the next option.
We have clinics across the UK with expert vascular consultant so you can rest assure that you will always be in the best hands.
We offer a wide-range of invasive varicose vein treatments, each with their own benefits to ensure your recovery is quick and you are back to your everyday activities swiftly.
If you have been refused treatment by the NHS, then you should still monitor your varicose veins closely and return to your GP if your condition .
Varicose Vein Consultations are available at , , , , and .
What other varicose vein treatments are available?
A specialist vein removal centre, we are committed to ensuring you only receive best care and service possible, with your safety and comfort as our priority.
We only offer advanced, non-surgical, which are all performed under local anaesthetic by our expert Vascular Surgeons. 99% of patients that come to see us are for . We do not offer surgical stripping treatment due to its vein recurrence rate, extensive incisions required, safety risk and much longer recovery period.
Our available varicose vein treatments are:
The Gold Standard for Varicose Veins by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), we offer EVLA to most of our patients. The procedure destroys varicose veins using laser heat technology, and has a success rate of 95.4% after 5 years, according to NICE. Our Consultant Vascular Surgeons represent pioneers in the treatment, and have carried out amongst the highest number of EVLA procedures in the UK.
: Radiofrequency Ablation is also recommended by NICE for Varicose Vein removal. It uses thermal heat energy to damage the varicose vein walls causing them to shrink and block blood from flowing through the valve.
: This treatment is generally recommended for thread veins, although small varicose veins can sometimes be resolved with liquid sclerotherapy, and large veins, with foam sclerotherapy, OnabotulinumtoxinAAbobotulinumtoxinAIncobotulinumtoxinAPrabotulinumtoxinALetibotulinumtoxinARimabotulinumtoxinBHyaluronic Acid FillersCalcium Hydroxylapatite FillersPoly-L-lactic Acid FillersPolymethylmethacrylate FillersAutologous Fat GraftingForehead Lines TreatmentGlabellar Frown Lines TreatmentCrow’s Feet TreatmentBunny Lines TreatmentChemical Brow LiftLip FlipGummy Smile CorrectionMasseter ReductionJaw SlimmingDimpled Chin SmoothingCobblestone Chin SmoothingNefertiti Neck LiftMicro-BotoxMesotoxHyperhidrosis TreatmentChronic Migraine ReliefBruxism TreatmentTMJ TreatmentCervical Dystonia TreatmentNeck Spasm TreatmentBlepharospasm TreatmentLip AugmentationLip ContouringCheekbone EnhancementTear Trough FillersNasolabial Fold SofteningMarionette Line FillersLiquid RhinoplastyNon-Surgical Nose JobJawline ContouringJawline DefinitionChin AugmentationTemple VolumisingHand RejuvenationAcne Scar Subcision Filling if unsuitable for EVLA. This procedure involves the injection of an irritant, which creates inflammation, pushing blood out of the area, and leading to the varicose vein finally shrinking and disappearing. Sclerotherapy is a quick 30 minute treatment without pain, under local anaesthetic.
: A phlebectomy procedure involves making very small incisions so the varicose vein can be removed. No stitches are necessary.
This treatment uses medical adhesive to close varicose veins. It is a great option for those who are needle-phobic and also those who are looking to avoid any downtime as recovery is often a lot quicker than the other treatments. Your surgeon will use an ultrasound to guide a small catheter through the affected veins. The VenaSeal tool then dispenses small amounts of medical grade Sapheon Glue that works to close the vein.
To ensure that you receive the our vascular surgeons need to be aware of any issues so they will always perform a of your legs in consultations (usually priced between £350 and £450).
Varicose Vein Patient Case Study
One of our patients, Rob came to see us after previously having a surgical varicose vein removal procedure with the NHS but had found his vein had returned and were more unsightly and painful than they were before. Although he was offered additional treatment, he decided to refuse the offer and seek a more effective and option instead. Rob underwent EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and was finally able to eliminate his varicose veins.
Mr Tahir Hussain discusses Varicose Veins with Dr Tracy Mountford
Varicose Vein Removal Before and After Results
Why choose The Private Clinic for Varicose Vein treatment?
Expert Vascular Surgeons
- , MD, FRCS (Gen), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
- , MBChB, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
- , MBBS, MS, FRCS (Gen), FRCS. GMC Number:
- , MBBS, FRCS (Gen, Surg.), MS Masters in Surgery. GMC Number:
Where can I have Private Varicose Vein treatment?
Consultations with our Vascular Surgeons are in , , , and .
To find out more about varicose vein treatments or to book a consultation, please call or use our .
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About The Private Clinic
The Private Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in advanced minimally invasive non surgical treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with the and we are regulated by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.
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