Venous Leg Ulcer Service (North)

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We are a specialist unit developed specifically to provide assessment, treatment, and aftercare for patients with Venous Leg Ulcers in the North locality of West Sussex. We are a team of District Nurses, specially trained to improve healing rates for leg ulcers.

What causes a Venous Leg ulcer?

In a normal leg the veins have the difficult job of transporting blood from the legs and up towards the heart. This is done by; the Calf Muscle pump is the muscle used for walking and exercise. This contracts and relaxes. The valves inside the veins stop the blood flowing back down the leg. These valves can be damaged following deep vein thrombosis, pregnancy, standing or carrying too much weight.Ulcers can happen spontaneously or as a result of injury to the leg.

What is a Venous Leg Ulcer?

This is a wound to the lower leg that can be slow to heal after 6 weeks. They can have the appearance of craters or holes and vary in colour and size and can be painful.

Our aim is to improve the quality of life for people with or at risk of venous leg ulcers. Through the delivery of clinically effective care and advice, we hope to improve healing and to reduce the risk of recurrence.