Compression products consist of bandages, hosiery wraps or garments designed to provide external pressure on ulcerous limbs to improve blood flow and promote healing. Most compression products are available in a variety of sizes, materials, and degree of compression. Different levels of compression are used depending on the extent of venous disease and the severity of the condition. Compression hosiery, including stockings, socks and tights can be used as a preventative measure against deep vein thrombosis, varicose ulcers, and the recurrence of venous leg ulcers after healing of the initial wound. They can also be used to facilitate healing of venous leg ulcers or to reduce lymphoedema in the lower leg. Compression bandages, including high compression bandages, short-stretch compression bandages and sub-compression wadding bandages, can be used for the management of gross varices, post-thrombotic venous insufficiency, venous leg ulcers, and gross oedema in average-sized limbs. Multi-layer compression bandaging systems are used as an alternative to compression bandages for the treatment of venous leg ulcers and come in 2-layer or 4-layer bandaging systems. Compression for these systems is achieved by the combined effect of 2 or 3 extensible bandages applied over a layer of orthopaedic wadding and a wound contact dressing. There are an estimated 739,000 leg ulcers in England, with estimated associated healthcare costs of £3.1 billion per year (NWCSP, 2020). Most leg ulcers happen because of venous insufficiency. Compression therapy is currently the first line treatment for venous leg ulcers to promote healing and prevent recurrence. NICE is scoping for an assessment on compression products, as part of a pilot called late-stage assessment (LSA). LSA aims to assess technologies that are in widespread or established use in the NHS. Over time, technologies often undergo continuous or incremental innovation and adaptation. LSA will assess if the value added by incremental innovation justifies any price variation.
 
Status In progress
Technology type Device
Decision Selected
Reason for decision Anticipate the topic will be of importance to patients, carers, professionals, commissioners and the health of the public to ensure clinical benefit is realised, inequalities in use addressed, and help them make the best use of NHS resources

Provisional Schedule

Committee meeting: 1 13 March 2025
Draft guidance 16 April 2025 - 02 May 2025
Committee meeting: 2 19 June 2025
Resolution 21 July 2025
Expected publication 27 August 2025

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Timeline

Key events during the development of the guidance:

Date Update
29 August 2024 Final scope
28 June 2024 In progress