Service overview
We're a team of specialist nurses and healthcare assistants who can help you treat leg ulcers, which are wounds on your lower leg that are slow to heal.
We offer wound care management if you have venous leg ulcers, which are open and slow wounds caused by poor blood flow.
You might also be referred to us if you're considered at high risk of developing a leg ulcer, so that we can assess you and reduce your risk.
Accessing our service
You can be referred to us by a healthcare professional such as your GP, a practice nurse, a district nurse, or foot care specialist (podiatrist).
Before we accept your referral, you must meet certain criteria.
- You must have a blood test before we can accept your referral.
- You must also be registered with a GP in East Berkshire, and:
- have a break in the skin on your lower leg which has not shown signs of healing within 2 weeks; a venous or mixed aetiology lower leg ulcer, caused by problems in both the veins and the arteries
- have symptoms of venous disease to the extent that venous leg ulcer development is considered very high risk
- able to travel to a clinic using your own means, as we don't offer home visits and, we're unable to accept referrals if you're attending using hospital transport
We will send an appointment letter to you if we're able to offer you an assessment.
We will also contact your GP surgery and inform them that we have accepted your referral and offered an appointment for assessment.
Our clinics
- Skimped Hill Health Centre, Bracknell
- Great Hollands Health Centre, Bracknell
- Birch House, Upton Hospital, Slough
- St Mark’s Hospital, Maidenhead
We're not available on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
Preparing for an assessment
First appointment
Your first appointment will last around 90 minutes, during your appointment we will carry out tests.
Remember to wear loose fitting clothing and wide fitting shoes.
We will carry out a Doppler assessment. This means we'll use ultrasound waves to assess blood flow to your legs, as most leg ulcers are caused by a lack of blood flow in your veins. It is not an operation, and will last a few minutes.
Our first line of treatment is compression therapy. We'll apply bandages from toe to knee, and arrange follow-up clinic appointments once or twice weekly, depending on your needs.
Follow-up support
Follow-up appointments will be 30 minutes if you have a leg ulcer on one leg, and 45 minutes if you have ulcers on both legs.
If you're unable to have any form of compression, your condition will be managed by your GP surgery.
Managing your health
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
Skimped Hill Health Centre
Lower Limb Service
Contact number: 0118 904 1555 (please leave a message if we can’t answer)
Email: LowerLimbService@berkshire.nhs.uk We will respond to all calls and emails within one working day
Postcode: RG12 1LH
Location detailsFrequently asked questions
Do you offer regular check‑ups?
Yes, we aim to see patients every six months.
However, if you develop a new wound, you will need to see your GP first, and if appropriate, you will be re‑referred to our service.
The six‑monthly review only applies to the wounds you were originally referred to us for.
We can also help you with:
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member, carer, or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- Telephone interpreting
- Video remote interpreting (VRI)
- Face‑to‑face interpreting
- Written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to get information in a format that meets their needs.
The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers. This means making sure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand our information and communicate with us easily.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio
- Easy read
- Text message
- Face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed at my appointment?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
What does it mean to treat our team with respect?
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This may include contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
How do I find my NHS number?
The easiest way to find your NHS number is using the official NHS online service which can be accessed below.
You may also want to read our guidance page for more information about other ways to find your NHS number or what to do if you cannot find yours.
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