Referral criteria from primary care - leg ulcer

Who to refer

Referral must be considered in the following cases:

• venous ulcers failing to progress at three months or which have not healed by twelve months
  
  
• all ulcers of an arterial or mixed aetiology - assessment needed for reconstructive surgical / radiological procedures
  
  
• failure to adequately control underlying pathologies
  
  
• suspected malignant change (2 Week Rule referral to dermatology)
  
  
• suspected cases of contact allergic dermatitis
  
  
• post-healing - consideration should be given to the referral for further investigations of venous leg ulcers to see if surgical intervention would reduce the risk of re-ulceration. Such a referral would depend on local resources, and is particularly relevant for patients developing ulcers from a young age

Reference:

• Primary Care Dermatological Society. Leg ulcers (Accessed 30/7/14)