Compression hosiery and Prescriptions

50Twuncle

I have a need for some compression hosiery for medical reasons
This is extremely expensive and I understand that it is covered by "prescriptions"
How, exactly does this work ?
I need to get a prescription from my GP and send it off with my order - but what, exactly am I entitled to ?
Compression hosiery can cost from £20 to £150 per item....

DomRavioli

You need to ask either your GP, or whichever medical clinician has said you have a need for the items.

GwylimT

Why wife has to use compression hoisery for medical reasons as well, she even has to sleep in them, she is allowed to spend 30 minutes per day without them. Most are not available on prescription, the only ones my wife can wear are sigvaris, each pair lasts six months, here are around £85 a pair, she wears the hold up style rather than the full right style.

You should have been given a patient referrer form so you can make sure you have the correct fit and compression rating, some pharmacies can actually order them to store for you.

ivyleaf

I have a condition called lymphoedema in one leg because of varicose veins; The lymphoedema clinic asks my GP surgery to issue prescriptions. I've only ever had to pay the normal NHS prescription charge.

The problem I've had is that the clinic asks the surgery to prescribe "2 pairs", but the prescription system says "device" rather than "pair" and there have been disagreements, even between different pharmacists in the same branch of the same chain, as to whether a "device" in this instance is a pair or only a single stocking.

This has meant that this time I've had only one pair ordered by the pharmacy, and they refused to order a second pair because the prescription said "2 device" and they said this meant 2 stockings, i.e. one pair. So I've had to ask the surgery for a second prescription for another "2 device".

Obviously it must be set out in writing somewhere, but probably not accessible to the lay person, so I can't find out who's right!

Scully38

All you need is for your GP to arrange a doppler test either at the hospital, surgery, treatment room etc... They'll measure the pulses in your legs and determine if you need to have a compression stocking or not.

If it's decided you do need a compression stocking, the nurse, doctor (whomever s doing the doppler) usually measures your legs to determine size etc. Then once your measurements are taken and the stocking sizes are written on the prescription for you.

There must be a need though for you to have a doppler test in the first instance, this could me varicose veins, cellulitus, ulcers on your legs, poor circulation etc... are usually the more common ones for getting a doppler done.

50Twuncle

DomRavioli wrote: »

You need to ask either your GP, or whichever medical clinician has said you have a need for the items.

The Physio at my local hospital has advised me to try some compression hosiery to help me with a problem linked to hyperextended knee joints !
Can a physio prescribe things ?