Secondary care treatment of patients with varicose veins in National Health Service England: at least how it appeared on a National Health Service website

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the trends and regional variations in secondary care treatment of patients with varicose veins in National Health Service (NHS) England based on data published by the Hospital Episode Statistics which was freely and readily available to the public and health-care policy-makers. Methods: Hospital Episode Statistics data for patients being treated for varicose veins, and UK Statistics Authority population estimates in all 28 Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) in England from 2002 to 2006 were retrieved and analysed. Results: Between 2002 and 2006 there was a 20% overall reduction (46,190-37,135) in the total number of varicose vein procedures performed in NHS England per year. The number of varicose vein procedures performed per 100,000 population per year varied significantly across the SHAs (P < 0.0001). Similarly, significant regional variations were also noted in the frequency of primary procedures of greater and small saphenous vein (P < 0.0001). During this time, injection sclerotherapy was only performed in 15 (53.6%) SHAs. The annual proportion of varicose vein procedures performed as daycases had increased from 56% to 64% during the period. Conclusion: From 2002 to 2006 there was an overall reduction in the total number of varicose vein procedures performed in NHS England with major regional variations.