Window fitter, Chris Chapman, 47, from Yeovil, felt he’d been passed from pillar-to-post for eight years trying to get treatment for his “horrendous” varicose veins. It had got to the point where his leg was throbbing and bleeding during the day from constant scratching, and he was increasingly worried about the severity of his bulging veins. Thankfully, after the team at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet began offering varicose vein surgery for NHS and private patients last year, Chris’ vein troubles are now a thing of the past.
“I am so grateful to the team at Shepton Mallet for my treatment. I feel the surgery has not only improved the appearance of my leg, but has given me so much peace of mind. I was treated like royalty by the team and can’t recommend them enough to people struggling with varicose veins.“
Chris Chapman, varicose vein treatment patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
He comments: “I have experience with varicose veins as about 20 years ago I had my left leg operated on via the NHS. It seemed much easier then to get treatment. When I noticed varicose veins developing on my right leg around eight years ago, I went to see my GP to see if I could get a referral for surgery. He told me that unfortunately my veins did not meet the criteria and he was unable to refer me.
“Year-on-year, I’d go back to my GP as the veins were severely protruding and would ache after a busy day. I was referred a couple of times to the hospital in Yeovil for x-rays but was told that they were not bad enough. I’d go away feeling disappointed and not very reassured. After the second x-ray, I didn’t even have a response from the hospital and was left feeling helpless by the situation.
“When I noticed varicose veins developing on my right leg around eight years ago, I went to see my GP to see if I could get a referral for surgery. He told me that unfortunately my veins did not meet the criteria and he was unable to refer me.”
Chris Chapman, varicose vein treatment patient at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
“My GP even levelled with me and said that it was quite difficult to get varicose veins treated on the NHS these days and suggested I look into private surgery. At the time this was beyond my means and I couldn’t afford to pay thousands of pounds for treatment, so disappointingly they went untreated again.
“Last summer, my leg became awful. I even worried that I might lose it if something wasn’t done. At night I would scratch them as the veins itched so much and they’d bleed through the night. I work in construction with tools and machinery and was always conscious of my veins in case I knocked them which would cause a lot of pain. They were becoming horrendous and unsightly, not to mention uncomfortable.
“When the thought of losing my leg gripped me, I returned to my GP. By this time he mentioned that Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet had started taking NHS referrals for varicose vein surgery. I was so relieved that finally something could be done. The referral process was very quick and I went in to see the consultant, Mr Mark Tomlinson, a couple of weeks later.
“On the day of the surgery, the team at the hospital were fantastic. I was in and out in one day and finally pain free. My consultant said that he had removed as much of the veins as possible to avoid them returning and I was left with 19 stitches and able to go home the same day.
“My leg is now like night and day! I am able to go to work confidently. It looks so much better and there is no pain. I am so grateful to the team at Shepton Mallet for my treatment. I feel the surgery has not only improved the appearance of my leg, but has given me so much peace of mind. I was treated like royalty by the team and can’t recommend them enough to people struggling with varicose veins.”
