This page features insights and commentary from within the vascular and venous disease landscape. From policy developments to service innovation and patient priorities, these blogs highlight the work being done across the sector to raise awareness, influence decision making, and improve outcomes for those affected. The blogs are authored by members of our Strategic Advisory Council, offering expert perspectives and thought leadership to inform and inspire progress.
Jim Shannon MP - Chair of the Vascular and Venous Disease All Party Parliamentary Group (VVAPPG)
We have seen the VVAPPG work really carefully and creatively behind the scenes to raise the profile of Vascular Disease amongst Parliamentarians. As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vascular and Venous Disease (VVAPPG), I have seen first hand the devastating impact these conditions have on patients and their families, and the challenges that face clinicians throughout the UK as they strive to deliver better outcomes. The statistics on Vascular Disease are well known, but are not acted on. In 2018, the annual NHS cost of wound management was £8.3 billion, of which £2.7 billion and £5.6 billion were associated with managing healed and unhealed wounds, respectively.
Read more here.
Dr Jean Mooney - Royal College of Podiatry
Podiatrists are experts in vascular assessment! Their work puts them in constant contact with any evidence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the lower limb and foot. A majority of their clients, especially their more mature clients are seen and monitored at regular intervals as part of their ongoing foot and lower limb treatment. In a similar manner, foot and limb health of their younger patients is also checked – especially as younger patients often need invasive procedures, such as skin and nail surgery, where ability to heal in a straight forward manner is of primary concern.
Read more here.
Mr Neeraj Bhasin - Circulation Foundation
One of my colleagues regularly starts his emails with, bottom line up front. Therefore, bottom line up front, my wish, and perception of the main challenge facing us, is to put the ‘vascular’ back in ‘cardio-vascular’! My very clear feeling is that cardiovascular plans and discussions are not at all cardiovascular, but solely cardiac. This is the perception, culture, and approach, we need a step change in. That applies to the 10-Year Plan, governmental policymakers’ approach, public awareness, strategic resource allocation, right down to the direct clinical management of individual patients. I believe there is a complete lack of inclusion of vascular in what is purported to be cardiovascular plans, planning and priorities.
Read more here.
Ms Jane Todhunter - The Society of Vascular Nurses
POVS 2021 outlined the framework for high quality vascular care as a multidisciplinary team made up of specialists working in networks. Whilst the vision is sound, the delivery has been lacking. Time standards to intervention for chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) are not consistently met and indeed overall, productivity has fallen. The patient voice has not been listened to in sufficient detail and so services have failed to deliver the tangible improvements in clinical outcomes and safety that patients’ desire. So how can we improve vascular services for the future? How can the society of vascular nurses lead and improve care for vascular patients?
Read more here.
Professor Ellie Lindsay - The Lindsay Leg Club Foundation
The future of vascular care within the UK stands at a crossroads. The government has not assured equal access to essential lower limb diagnostics and treatment, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The potential consequences are catastrophic – this means delayed treatment, unnecessary complications, and additional cost burden on our health service. This failure highlights the urgent need for national clinical leadership for vascular disease - a person who can lead systemic change, improve access to treatment, and place vascular health at the top of the national agenda.
Read more here.