Tissue Viability Service

About the service

Our Tissue Viability service supports patients to avoid pressure and leg ulcers, an area of damage to the skin and underlying tissue. Pressure ulcers are sometimes known as pressure sores or bed sores and can affect anyone but some people are more at risk than others.

You may be more at risk of developing a pressure ulcer if you:

• are incontinent
• have poor appetite, diet or do not drink enough water
• are very old or very young
• are unable to move certain parts of your body
• have poor circulation
• have broken skin
• if you are ill or have suffered an injury, eg a broken hip
• already have a pressure ulcer or if you have had a pressure ulcer in the past

The service operates across Hampshire alongside a dedicated Tissue Viability/Leg Ulcer Service for Southampton residents which is open to anyone with tissue viability needs and registered with a GP in Southampton. 

What we do

Our service supports patients to avoid pressure ulcers and leg ulcers as well as helping patients manage, carer for and heal any exisiting ulcers. We provide complex wound assessment and advice as well as lower limb assessments and telephone advice. 

We see patients in the Community, Community Hospitals, GP Practices, Nursing Homes and in our dedicated Clinics.

The service also works with health care professionals to provide advice and education in the prevention and care of pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and complex wounds. The service covers the following areas: 

• improving clinical practice with health care professionals 
• education and training     
• policy and guideline development    
• monitoring and improving standards of care through clinical audits. 

Accessing the service

Please talk to your GP or your local health care professional for more information and how to refer into the service. 

The Southampton Tissue Viability/Leg Ulcer Service is open to anyone registered with a GP in Southampton.