NHS Varicose Vein Treatment in Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire

Varicose veins are very common affecting around one in five adults, so the NHS uses clear, fair criteria to decide who can be treated within a publicly funded system. Treatment is prioritised for people whose veins cause significant symptoms or medical problems, rather than for appearance alone.

The NHS is not cancelling varicose vein treatment.

In the Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) area, patients must meet both national and local referral criteria before NHS treatment can be offered. It is a common myth that you must have a leg ulcer to qualify, this is not true where there is genuine clinical need. If you have symptoms and these meet the thresholds, you will be able to get funding for your veins. Many patients do, evidenced by the numbers of vein procedures performed by the NHS in the last 5-years. These have hardly changed.

This page explains what the NHS will fund in BSW, and what options are available if NHS treatment is not approved. A short summary of the policy can be downloaded from here

Funding approval before NHS referral

In the BSW region, GPs must obtain prior funding approval before referring a patient to a vascular specialist. Without this approval, NHS providers are unable to offer a consultation or investigations. Patients may qualify if they have bleeding from a varicose vein, recurrent or persistent venous leg ulcers, repeated episodes of superficial thrombophlebitis, or symptoms that cause significant functional impairment affecting daily activities.

If treatment is recommended following assessment, funding approval is required again before any procedure can take place. This process is different from many other parts of the UK and can be confusing for patients.

Conservative management before NHS treatment

The NHS normally requires evidence that conservative management has been tried for at least six months before referral, unless this is contraindicated. This includes regular exercise, leg elevation and appropriate compression therapy.

Conditions not normally funded by the NHS

Thread veins are not treated on the NHS, as they are considered a cosmetic condition. If thread veins are a concern, you can read more about assessment and treatment options on our thread vein removal page. Varicose eczema is recommended to be managed with creams rather than surgery.

NHS varicose vein treatment – common questions

Patients often have understandable concerns about NHS funding for varicose veins. The questions below address the most common points of confusion.

Why won’t the NHS treat all varicose veins?

Varicose veins are very common, affecting around one in five adults. The NHS therefore applies clear clinical criteria so that publicly funded treatment is prioritised for people whose veins cause significant symptoms, disability, or medical complications, rather than for appearance alone. This approach is about fairness and clinical need, not denying care.

Do I really need a leg ulcer to qualify for NHS treatment?

No. This is a common myth. While leg ulcers are one reason treatment may be approved, they are not the only qualifying condition. Pain, swelling, skin changes, bleeding, and other complications can also meet NHS criteria, depending on severity and impact on daily life.

What happens if I don’t meet the NHS criteria?

If NHS funding is not approved, this does not mean your symptoms are unimportant or untreatable. Some patients may be eligible to appeal funding decisions, while others choose private assessment or self‑funded treatment.

If you would like more information, a specialist consultation can help clarify your options and whether an appeal is appropriate.