Tissue Viability – wound prevention and healing

Referral

All referrals into Tissue Viability will be triaged by a Tissue Viability Nurse and the referrer contacted within one working day.  Please note that we work Monday to Friday and do not cover bank holidays.

Any referrals deemed to be urgent will be offered an appointment within two working days of triage.

Assessment/appointment

Patients who are invited to attend one of our leg ulcer clinics will be sent a letter prior to their appointment which will provide information about what to expect.

All of our clinics are in hight demand, so we ask that you inform us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment.  Please use the contact number listed above.

After your appointment

If our Tissue Viability Team feel that your healing will best be supported by some self-care, you or your carer/family member will be given advice leaflets appropriate to your ongoing care at your appointment – this information is also in our self-care section below. You will also be supported until you or your carers are confident in your treatment.

Our team will review you at least every four weeks until you are healed. This could be to apply a dressing or compression hosiery/wraps. You will be provided will contact details for support outside of Tissue Viability working hours if needed.

What is the Well Leg Service?

The Well Leg Service helps you keep your legs healthy after a leg ulcer has healed. You will be referred to the service by your district nurse or our Tissue Viability team.

The Well Leg Service offers checks, advice, and support to help prevent ulcers coming back. You may be seen in a Well Leg clinic or at home if you are housebound, depending on your needs.

At your appointment we:

• check your legs and skin
• make sure your compression stockings or garments fit properly and that you are happy with them
• talk to you about looking after your legs at home
• give advice on skin care, movement and exercise
• answer any questions or concerns you may have

Our aim is to help you stay comfortable, independent, and confident. Occasionally we call you back for a new assessment of your legs including a vascular assessment, to ensure compression therapy is still the best treatment for you.

If needed, we can refer you to other services such as:
• Lymphoedema services
• Vascular services
• Dermatology (skin) services

How many appointments will I have?

Most people need 2–3 appointments, depending on their needs.
Your care will be personalised and reviewed by our nurses. Most importantly it you gives you direct contact with a professional who can best support you should any concerns arise.

Why is the Well Leg Service important?

Regular checks, good skin care and the right compression can greatly reduce the chance of a leg ulcer returning. The Well Leg Service helps you stay independent, comfortable, and confident in looking after your legs.

Patients, carers and family members can find useful information about pressure ulcers – what they are and how to prevent them on our dedicated pressure ulcers – guide for patients and carers page. This page and all others on this website can be translated into multiple languages by using the ‘select language’ drop down at the top right of the page.

Care homes and other professionals seeking information and support for patients, residents or clients with pressure ulcers, should please see our ‘for professionals‘ tab. This page and all others on this website can be translated into multiple languages by using the ‘select language’ drop down at the top right of the page.

Easy read pressure ulcer leaflets are available in a variety of languages for you to download from the Society of Tissue Viability.

Patients, carers and family members can find useful information about leg ulcers – what they are, symptoms and treatment on our leg ulcers – guide for patients and carers page.

Care homes and other professionals seeking information and support for patients, residents or clients with leg ulcers, should please see our ‘for professionals‘ tab.

Patients, carers and family members can find useful information about wounds and wound care on our Looking after your wound page.

Care homes and other professionals seeking information and support for patients, residents or clients with wounds, should please see our ‘for professionals‘ tab.

Taking care of dry, itchy or scaly skin
If you have a dry, itchy or scaly skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, Varicose eczema or ichthyosis , your healthcare professional may suggest you use a moisturising treatment to sooth and hydrate your skin. Find out about different types of emollients, how to get and use them, skin reactions, safety advice, topical steroids and more.

Skin damage from moisture
If skin is exposed to moisture and remains damp or wet for long periods of time, it becomes soft, fragile, more easily damaged and more likely to develop pressure ulcers. This is known as Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD) and can lead to soreness, irritation and sometimes skin loss. Find out about different types of moisture associated skin damage, who is at risk and how to prevent and treat it.

Safe use of emollient products
Not all emollients are paraffin-based, but both paraffin and non-paraffin based emollients can be a fire hazard. Find out how to stay safe and what not to do when using emollient products.

Referrals

Referral criteria

Tissue viability referral form

Pressure ulcer care

Pressure ulcer identification, prevention and care – guide for professionals

Leg ulcer care

Leg ulcer referral form

Prescribing for leg ulcers

Compression Therapy for leg ulcers

Lower limb pathway

Wound care

Wound management guidelines and formulary

Skin tears

Skin tear pathway

National Wound Care Strategy Programme leaflet on ‘Looking after a skin tear’

Wounds

Wound care pathway

Wound debridement pathway

National Wound Care Strategy Programme leaflet on ‘Looking after your wound’

Self-care for wounds patient diary

Wound Care Education for Health and Care

Moisture damage

Prevention and management of moisture associated skin damage pathway