Our Services

Adult Community Health Services

Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse Service

The Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse team are a part of the wider community nursing service in Guildford and Waverley working with patients, carers, GPs, practice nurses, care homes (nursing and residential), other specialist nurses and consultants to prevent skin breakdown and to treat and manage complex wounds.

The service provides specialist advice, support and treatment to people, carers and other health/ social care colleagues to optimise the health and wellbeing of patients at home through promoting care of skin.

Who is the Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse Service available for?

The service is for adults, aged over 18 with lymphoedema and is usually for people registered with a GP practice within Guildford and Waverley, living in their own homes and in all care homes.

Healthcare professionals can also access the service for specialist advice.

How can I arrange an appointment?

Through referral to the Community Co-ordination Centre or from your GP, health or social care professional or following a discharge from hospital.

Where are appointments held?

  • Appointments will be in a clinic setting or at home if the patient is housebound.

  • Telephone consultations are also available.

When is the service available?

The service operates Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00, excluding bank holidays.

What will happen at an appointment?

  • Assessment and care planning to develop and agree individual goals

  • Post hospital discharge review and assessment

  • Optimisation of dressings and treatment for complex wounds

  • Prevention and management of pressure ulcers (bed sores)

  • Education and advice to support people with treatment and self-management strategies at home

  • Maintaining skin integrity for end of life care in partnership with local palliative care and District Nurse teams

  • Advance wound care assessment, diagnosis, care planning and treatment

What should I have ready for my appointment visit?

Please show details of medication that you are on or any hospital discharge letters.

If a home visit, please provide hand washing facilities and paper towels.

Community, Tissue Viability, Nursing Service, Feedback

We very much value feedback from all of our patients, and may ask you to complete a satisfaction questionnaire after your appointment.

How can I contact you?

Please ring our Community Co-ordination Centre on 01483 362 020.