Over 40 years of expert care

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Over 40 years of expert care

Best UK Group & 5 star reviews

Nationwide Clinics

Award winning treatment plans

Do the NHS treat varicose veins?

You want your varicose veins treated in the and way possible. But what are your options? We discuss the NHS’s to correcting varicose veins, including the delay that may be involved in treatment.

So you don’t have to compromise on your comfort and safety and waste any time (if you are ineligible for NHS treatment), we what The Private Clinic can offer you.

Will the NHS treat my varicose veins?

The simple answer is no. The NHS will not usually treat varicose veins for cosmetic reasons, but will treat patients suffering from pain, discomfort or experiencing severe complications with their varicose veins you will have to meet various grading criterias to qualify.

If you have blue veins or your veins are large and unsightly, but not causing any physical problems then NHS will not be able to help and will advise you to seek private vein treatment instead.

Am I suitable for varicose vein treatment on the NHS?

The NHS Vein Grading System shows how the NHS grade the severity of veins and what they can do at each stage. This system also reveals the potential complications that can arise if you do fail to treat your once they begin to cause pain.

Grades 3-6 complications are serious and can impact your quality of life. It’s also important to note some of these conditions may also arise as adverse effects of surgical vein stripping or ligation which is the NHS’s most common choice of varicose vein treatment so it may also be worth researching what varicose treatments are available before deciding to go ahead with NHS treatment.

What are the NHS varicose veins treatments?

If you are found suitable for NHS treatment, this does not guarantee a quick solution. A significant wait may be required before you can be determined for a vein procedure.

Treatment on the NHS usually begins by trialling moderate measures including wearing compression stockings and lifestyle changes such as exercise, changing your diet, avoiding standing for long periods and elevating the area while resting.

Your doctor may also you painkillers as well as cream to resolve skin conditions related to your varicose veins and may advise up to six-months of such self-care measures.The issue with this tactic, is that your suffering is lengthened, during which time the condition may become worse and develop into something more serious.

If moderate treatments are found to be unsuccessful, then the NHS may decide to perform one of three procedures:

The challenge of effectively treating varicose veins, however, is their reoccurring nature. With surgical in particular, there is a high recurrence rate; the old fashion method has a 2-year recurrence rate of 33%, 41% after five years and 70% after 10 years. Another problem is that repeat treatments can also be significantly more complicated than in the treatment.

Are you having difficulty receiving treatment for your varicose veins on the NHS?

It is becoming increasingly difficult to receive treatment for varicose veins on the NHS. This is despite the fact that many patients who have the condition also suffer from often severe side effects including tired, aching, heavy and swollen legs. As NHS funding continues to be squeezed, varicose vein treatments are increasingly being classed as a cosmetic or aesthetic rather than a medical issue and thus is usually denied.

If you suffer from varicose veins, it is always worth getting a second opinion if you are initially denied treatment. However, if your Primary Care Trust has imposed strict guidelines on offering treatment, then the chances are you will still be turned away.

This means that for many people seeking self-pay treatment privately is the next option.

We have clinics across the UK with expert vascular consultant so you can rest assure that you will always be in the best hands.

We offer a wide-range of minimally invasive varicose vein treatments, each with their own benefits to ensure your recovery is quick and you are back to your everyday swiftly.

If you have been refused treatment by the NHS, then you should still monitor your varicose veins and return to your GP if your condition worsens.

Varicose Vein Consultations are available at , , , , and .

What other varicose vein treatments are available?

A specialist vein removal centre, we are committed to ensuring you only receive best care and service possible, with your safety and comfort as our priority.



We only offer advanced, non-surgical, which are all performed under local anaesthetic by our expert Consultant Vascular Surgeons. 99% of patients that come to see us are for treatment. We do not offer surgical stripping treatment due to its vein rate, extensive incisions required, safety risk and much longer recovery period.

Our available varicose vein treatments are:

The Gold Standard Treatment for Varicose Veins by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence), we offer EVLA to most of our patients. The procedure destroys varicose veins using laser heat technology, and has a success rate of 95.4% after 5 years, according to NICE. Our Consultant Vascular Surgeons represent pioneers in the treatment, and have carried out amongst the highest number of EVLA procedures in the UK.

: Radiofrequency Ablation is also recommended by NICE for Vein removal. It uses thermal heat energy to damage the vein walls them to shrink and block blood from flowing through the valve.

: This treatment is for thread veins, although small varicose veins can sometimes be resolved with liquid sclerotherapy, and large veins, with foam sclerotherapy, if unsuitable for EVLA. This procedure involves the injection of an irritant, which creates inflammation, pushing blood out of the area, and leading to the varicose vein finally shrinking and disappearing. Sclerotherapy is a quick 30 minute treatment without pain, under local anaesthetic.

: A phlebectomy procedure involves making very small so the varicose vein can be removed. No stitches are necessary.

This treatment uses medical adhesive to close varicose veins. It is a great option for those who are needle-phobic and also those who are looking to avoid any as is often a lot quicker than the other treatments. Your surgeon will use an ultrasound to guide a small catheter through the affected veins. The VenaSeal tool then dispenses small amounts of medical grade Sapheon Glue that works to close the vein.

To ensure that you receive the possible our vascular surgeons need to be aware of any issues so they will always a of your legs in consultations (usually priced £350 and £450).

Varicose Vein Patient Case Study

One of our patients, Rob came to see us after previously having a surgical varicose vein removal procedure with the NHS but had found his varicose vein had returned and were more unsightly and painful than they were before. Although he was offered additional treatment, he decided to refuse the offer and seek a more effective and minimally-invasive option instead. Rob underwent EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) and was finally able to eliminate his varicose veins.

Before and after of Rob Crowley’s leg following EVLA treatment with The Private Clinic

Mr Tahir Hussain discusses Varicose Veins with Dr Tracy Mountford

Varicose Vein Removal Before and After Results

Why choose The Private Clinic for Varicose Vein treatment?

Expert Vascular Surgeons

• 
  
• , MD, FRCS (Gen), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
  
• , MBChB, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg). GMC Number:
  
• , MBBS, MS, FRCS (Gen), FRCS. GMC Number:
  
• , MBBS, FRCS (Gen, Surg.), MS Masters in Surgery. GMC Number:
  

Where can I have Private Varicose Vein treatment?

Consultations with our Consultant Vascular Surgeons are available in , , , and .

To find out more about varicose vein treatments or to book a consultation, please call or use our .

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About The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in advanced minimally invasive non treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and hospitals. Our surgeons are all registered with the and we are regulated by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.

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Company reg: The Private Clinic is a trading name of TPC Group Limited (company registration number ) © 2026 The Private Clinic.

TPC Group Limited trading as The Private Clinic Harley Street London, which is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited. TPC Group is a credit broker, not a lender. Chrysalis Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and lending.