Strengthening Vascular Assessment Pathways in Line with the NHS 10 Year Plan

Perimed, our partner in vascular assessment, has published an overview of the NICE HTG677 guidance on ankle–brachial index (ABI) and what it means for clinicians managing leg ulcers and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the UK.

The article explains that while ABI remains a useful non invasive test, NICE cautions against the routine use of automated ABI devices without supporting evidence and expert oversight, especially in higher risk groups such as people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

These points are particularly important given the growing burden of diabetes and diabetic foot complications in the UK. The infographic below shows how many people are living with diabetes, how common diabetic foot problems are, and how many amputations occur each year.

Gyllensporre also discusses why relying on a single ABI value can be misleading and stresses the need to understand the test’s limitations. She describes how more comprehensive vascular assessment, supported by systems such as PeriFlux 6000, can provide richer diagnostic information and help clinicians make better decisions without replacing their judgement.

This approach aligns closely with the NHS 10 year plan, which prioritises earlier detection, better management of long term conditions and a shift towards more care delivered safely in community and primary care settings.

Read the full Perimed article here.