Healthy Legs

Healthy Legs is a specialist nurse-led clinic aimed at the prevention and/or management of common lower leg conditions such as varicose veins, leg swelling and pain and cramps.

Please note: this is a Clinical Commissioning Group commissioned service for patients with Blackburn with Darwen GP’s only.

How can I access the service?

A referral into the clinic is required from a GP or other health care professional and appointments are offered from our two sites at Barbara Castle Way Health Centre and Darwen Health Centre as follows:

Mondays: 1 to 4.30pm at Barbara Castle Way Health Centre

Tuesdays: 1 to 4.30pm at Darwen Health Centre

We no longer accept self-referrals and we are unable to accommodate drop in attendance.

What to expect 

Once we receive your referral you will be contacted by a member of our team, to offer you an appointment. This will be confirmed in writing and an information leaflet enclosed. The appointment may last up to 1 hour.

The assessing nurse will talk to you about your current leg problems and undertake a visual inspection and examination of your legs. This will involve an assessment of the circulation to your lower legs, known as an ankle-brachial pressure index, whereby your blood pressure is measured just above your ankle and in your upper arms. This will determine if there any problems with the arteries that carry blood away from the heart to your legs and feet.

If the test suggests there are no arterial concerns, the assessing nurse will discuss treatment and/or preventative measures with you. This may necessitate wearing compression stockings/socks in order to support the veins returning blood back up the legs.

The clinic staff are unable to see patients with open wounds or skin breaks at healthy legs clinic. If you have a wound, please make alternative arrangements to attend your local treatment room service or contact your GP.

For further information regarding common leg complaints please visit the Legs Matter website which contains a wide range of information.