Vascular surgery referrals

COVID-19 and Vascular Surgery referrals

In common with most other specialties, we are changing the way we work over the next few months and in particular who we see in outpatient clinics.
The elderly, the immunocompromised, those with IHD, men and smokers appear to be at greater risk of infection with COVID-19 and these demographics are highly pertinent to our vascular patients. Elective surgery is being greatly curtailed
We therefore plan to restrict outpatients to urgent referrals.
These will only be seen at NNUH. Please do not refer vascular patients to JPUH or QEHKL.
All referrals will be vetted using the following criteria:
Varicose Veins – no referrals will be accepted.
Intermittent Claudication – no referrals will be accepted. Please give advice about life-style changes (stop smoking, keep exercising) and commence/continue best medical therapy.
Critical Limb ischaemia (rest pain, tissue loss, gangrene) – continue to refer urgently
AAAs – if less than 5.5cm these will be entered on to our surveillance programme but will not be seen first in clinic. AAAs >5.5cm will be seen urgently
Carotid referrals – These will only be accepted from TIA clinics/Stroke physicians.
Leg ulcers – These will continue to be seen if there is good evidence of arterial disease.