Leg ulcer treatment

In October 2020 NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) invited both patients and staff involved within Lower Limb Therapy Services (LLTS) to complete a short survey. The patient survey link was sent out proactively by providers to leg ulcer patients (who have consented to receiving text/email from the practice. Overall, 65 patients responded to the survey. To obtain further detailed feedback on patient experience about the treatment of leg ulcers, Healthwatch conducted additional interviews with leg ulcer patients to find out what went well during their treatment and what could be improved. They spoke to 9 people.

Respondents from East Devon had mixed experiences. One respondent was extremely dissatisfied with their treatment, describing poor communication and continuity of care at the clinic and a negative experience with their GP surgery. Two respondents also had negative experiences with their GP surgeries but were very pleased with their treatment at the leg clinic. Another respondent had a uniformly positive experience.

The two respondents from South Devon were largely positive about their treatment at the specialist clinics. They both described good communication with the clinic staff; they felt listened to, and the information they received was easily understood. However, one respondent was dissatisfied with the treatment at their GP surgery.

Two respondents from West Devon, who both visited the same clinic, were very satisfied with their treatment. They described it as “second to none” and “absolutely brilliant.” The third respondent, who used services of a different clinic, was dissatisfied with their past treatment; continuity of care had been poor which prevented their ulcer from healing. However, they were currently under the care of one particular nurse and were satisfied with this.

Across all three areas, respondents with positive experiences described effective communication and support as features of their treatment. Similarly, respondents with negative experiences said treatment could be improved by better continuity of care, clearer and easier communication, better support between appointments and post-discharge, and quicker specialist referrals.