A specialist unit treating people with complex leg ulcers has received over 160 referrals from Anglesey and North Gwynedd since it opened.

The Arfon and Môn Leg Ulcer and Complex Wound Service has supported a number of patients back to better health since it first began in March last year.

While most leg ulcers usually heal quickly given the correct treatment, a small number are harder to heal and highly resistant.

One of the first patients treated by the team was 81 year-old Simon Williams from Benllech, who has praised the team for the care he received.

“I fell over in my garden just before COVID and unfortunately ulcers developed on my legs from the cuts", he said.

"Luckily my wife is an ex-nurse and she was able to treat them for some time, but unfortunately, they just weren’t getting any better."

“I found myself struggling for a while but my GP practice then told me this new service had been set up and I was referred, from then on everything changed."

“I was assessed and a treatment plan was put in place for me, I received compression therapy which made a huge difference and I immediately could see me heading in the right direction – four months later my ulcers healed. It was like a miracle!"

“I now wear the pressure stockings which prevents the sores from returning but I feel so much better. I feel really well supported by the team and they are always there for support when I need it.”

Three specialist nurses, accompanied by a health care assistant, make up the team treating leg ulcers and complex wounds.

Claire McMullan said: "By providing up to date thorough diagnostics combined with holistic care, we are able to commence patients on the right treatment plan in a timely manner."

"By instigating compression therapy at first contact, and carrying out regular thorough wound hygiene to achieve an optimum wound healing environment, we have been able to vastly reduce healing times."

"We are passionate about ongoing care as venous disease is a chronic condition. We provide ongoing support and education to ensure patients are best equipped to prevent reoccurrence of leg ulcers and other related venous conditions."

“We are confident by healing these ulcers under specialist care it will have a continued positive impact for patients in our area."

Lucy McIldowie, the lead nurse for the service, added: “The combination of specialist care and continuity has really helped many patients, like Simon, who have had leg ulcers for many years heal within just a few weeks to a few months under our services care."

“The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recognise the benefit of services such as ours in improving healing rates of leg ulcers, with just 45 per cent healing in six months under other community treatment settings versus 70 per cent healing in six months within specialist leg ulcer clinic settings."

“On behalf of the team, we are always so happy to see patients like Simon who have done so well and healed – it’s really wonderful to see how our service has helped improve their life and mental health.”

Local GPs across the region have welcomed the service since it was established 18 months ago.

Dr Dyfrig ap Dafydd from Coed y Glyn Surgery in Llangefni, said: "GP practice nurses are very experienced at managing initial wounds and sores but for chronic or persistent ulcers it's been extremely useful to be able to deliver more specialist "hospital" type treatments in the community closer to home."

"We've seen very impressive results and hope to see schemes of this type continue and expand."