How we Practice

NICE guidelines clearly state "Treatment and care should take into account individual needs and preferences. Patients should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, in partnership with their healthcare professionals".
We offer individualised treatment plans for each patient. Each treatment option is discussed and information leaflets on differing treatments are provided to every patient.

The Vascular Service
NICE guidelines clearly state that a vascular service is "A team of healthcare professionals who have the skills to undertake a full clinical and duplex ultrasound assessment and provide a full range of treatment."
Varicose Veins Scotland @ TAC Healthcare Group provide such a Vascular Service, with our team encompassing experienced consultant vascular surgeons, fully trained vascular technologists (who perform and interpret the detailed ultrasound scans) and nurses within the outpatient and operating theatre setting. Such a service is not common in the UK outwith the NHS.

Who should be treated?
NICE recommend that patients with:
- bleeding varicose veins should be referred to the vascular surgeons immediately
- symptomatic veins should be referred to the vascular surgeons for consideration of treatment
- skin changes associated with varicose veins should be referred to the vascular surgeons for consideration of treatment
- a venous leg ulcer or a healed venous ulcer should be referred to the vascular surgeons for consideration of treatment

Symptoms from varicose veins include:

• veins found in association with troublesome lower limb symptoms (typically pain, aching, discomfort, swelling, heaviness and itching) (take the varicose vein quiz - http://www.veinguys.com/quiz/)

How should patients be treated with confirmed varicose veins?
NICE recommend -
- in first instance offer endothermal ablation (ie Radio-frequency ablation)
- if endothermal ablation is unsuitable, ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy should be offered
- if ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy is unsuitable, offer surgery

You can be confident we offer you the most up to date, individualised treatment for your varicose and thread/spider veins.