Leg ulceration affects between 0.6% and 3.6% of the population,1 with 28–85% of ulcers owing to venous insufficiency.2,3,4,5 Venous leg ulceration can have a profound negative impact on quality of life in terms of pain, malodour and leakage, impaired mobility, anxiety, sleep disturbance and social isolation,6 and care is costly for the NHS.7 Most patients with leg ulcers receive care provided by community nurses,6 thus nurses either prescribe, or are heavily influential in the prescribing decisions, for these patients.
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