Identifying immediate and necessary lower limb care
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Last reviewed: 18/12/2025
Identifying immediate and necessary lower limb care
This resource has been developed to help nurses and primary care staff identify patients at risk of lower limb wounds and deliver safe, early interventions. It explains how to follow National Wound Care Strategy guidance, carry out red flag checks, start mild compression therapy when appropriate and educate patients on ongoing care. The aim is to prevent deterioration, reduce venous ulceration and improve patient outcomes.
Introduction
This resource provides practical guidance to help you:
- support patients who may present with mild swelling and lower limb wounds
- promote healing
- reduce the risk of venous leg ulceration.
This resource is aimed at all primary care nursing staff involved in early wound prevention and care, for example, health care assistants, nursing associates and registered nurses. England has a wound care educational resource which outlines levels of practice for different nursing roles and could be applicable UK wide.
Background to the wound care crisis in the UK
Research over the past decade has highlighted the wound care crisis in the UK and the impact on patient quality of life and health care resources.
Venous disease is the most common cause of leg ulceration, causing around 70% of all non-healing lower leg wounds (PDF). It is a long-term condition that, when identified early, can be treated and its progression slowed. NICE guidance highlights that referral to a vascular specialist should be considered, as superficial venous surgery may be an appropriate treatment option for some patients.
The number of people affected by leg ulcers is rising. This is multifactorial but includes aging, obesity and patients living with multi morbidity. At the same time, evidence highlights an inconsistency and inequity in accessing leg ulcer services.
There is a clear need to shift from a reactive approach to one centred on prevention, with an opportunity to reduce the growing impact of lower limb wounds and improve quality of life.
Resource lead(s)
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