Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about wound healing and lymphoedema treatment at Pioneer Wound Healing & Lymphoedema Centres. Get expert insights and advice. Topics include leg ulcers, surgical wounds, pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds and dermatological wounds.
Are pressure sores preventable?
Changing position to reduce or remove the pressure on a particular area can be key to preventing pressure ulcers.
Can I Self Refer to Pioneer?
Yes you most certainly can. We recognise how debilitating these conditions are for patients and their families, that’s why we’re happy to take self-referrals. Simply fill in the referral form to send us your details and photographs and one of our team will get in touch.
Our aim would be to review your self-referral within 3 working days of receiving it and we may contact you for more details, a video consultation or we may offer you an appointment at the closest Pioneer Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Centre to you. Our Clinical Administrators are skilled at accommodating travel times to ensure you can arrive for your appointment in good time.
Can I Self Refer to Pioneer?
Yes you most certainly can. We recognise how debilitating these conditions are for patients and their families, that’s why we’re happy to take self-referrals.
Can I Self Refer to Pioneer?
Yes you most certainly can. We recognise how debilitating these conditions are for patients and their families, that’s why we’re happy to take self-referrals. Simply fill in the referral form to send us your details and photographs and one of our team will get in touch.
Do surgical wounds heal better covered or uncovered?
Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly and prevent infection, once healed no dressings are needed.
Do you take referrals from family members?
Yes we do. We know how worrying it can be to see a family member or friend struggling with a chronic wound or Lymphoedema/Lipoedema. We are happy to take referrals from carers, family members or friends, all you need to do is fill in the referral form.
How do you prevent a pressure ulcer from getting infected?
To prevent a pressure ulcer infection, regularly clean and replace the dressings on the pressure injury and surrounding area. Ensure the area is getting enough oxygen by not sitting or lying on it.
How is my traumatic wound treatment delivered?
Your treatment can be delivered in a variety of ways. You may wish to attend in person for some or all of your appointments at one of our Centres in Sussex or the Midlands. Or alternatively, following your initial consultation, we can provide you with a treatment plan so you or your loved one can arrange for some/all of this care to be shared with your local care provider.
How is my treatment delivered?
Your treatment can be delivered in a variety of ways. You may wish to attend in person for some or all of your appointments at one of our Centres. Or alternatively, following your initial consultation, we can provide you with a treatment plan so you or your loved one can arrange for some/all of this care to be shared with your local care provider. Virtual video consultations can be arranged if necessary and clinically appropriate.
How long does it take for a pressure injury to develop?
Pressure injuries can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few hours if the skin is starved of oxygen.
How long should a surgical wound take to heal?
In most cases, a surgical incision heals in about two weeks. More complex surgical incisions will take longer to heal. Deep wounds can continue to heal on the inside for up to 2 years even when the top layers of skin have closed sucessfully.
How long will my treatment take?
For wounds there’s no simple answer to this question, everyone is different. Healing times depend on your age, severity/age of your wound, and any other health conditions you may have. That said, in 2023 Pioneer were able to heal 88.5% of patients leg ulcers in 78 days. The average number of appointments with the Pioneer team to discharge these patients (healed) was 16.
For Lymphoedema/Lipoedema, these conditions cannot be cured but we can help you to make them significantly better through various treatments and self-management techniques.
How much will it cost for Pioneer to treat my condition?
Our charges for these services vary based upon the agreed treatment plan and the frequency of follow up appointments.
Patients with Wounds
| Initial assessment | Follow up appointment |
| £235 | £160 per appointment |
| Full Assessment at a Pioneer Clinic Treatment Plan * Dressings provided** |
Following a full assement: Regular appointments at the Pioneer Clinic where specialist review and updates to Treatment Plan & care are provided. This appointment type can also be booked for Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) treatment. |
Follow up appointments beyond 3 months of the full Pioneer assessment will require a new full assessment.
*Treatment Plan provided; your local health care professional to adopt and implement care as prescribed
**Dressings also provided for your next appointment with your local health care professional
Patients with Lymphoedema/Lipoedema
| Initial assessment | Follow up appointment |
| £180 | £120 per appointment |
|
Full Assessment at a Pioneer Clinic Treatment Plan * |
Following a full assement: Regular appointments at the Pioneer Clinic where specialist review and updates to to Treatment Plan & care are provided. This appointment type can also be booked for Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) treatment. |
Follow up appointments beyond 6 months of the full Pioneer assessment will require a new full assessment.
I have a cancerous wound, can Pioneer heal it?
This is best answered by your Oncologist as some Cancers can be cured and some not. Pioneer can help your wound healing in curable Cancer but can also help you better manage the wound symptoms and impact on your quality of life in non curable cases.
I’ve had a wound or swelling for a very long time can you help me?
Yes we most certainly can. Our teams have the skills and knowledge to be able to heal your wound/optimise Lymphoedema/Lipoedma. We know how to manage these complex conditions and have a range of treatment options available to us that we can use to give you the best possible outcome.
If your wound/swelling is not suitable for treatment by the Team at Pioneer we will be able to signpost you to other services that may be able to help you.
Should surgical wounds be kept moist or dry?
Immediately after surgery the wound needs to be kept dry. When complications occur it can become wet and soggy and will need advanced treatments to get it back on to a healing journey.
What are the additional costs?
Potential additional Costs
Most patients with lymphoedema/Lipoedema and those with wounds on the lower leg will require compression garments to improve/maintain their condition. Patients are required to purchase these separately (basic hosiery is around £10 per set but made to measure hosiery can be required to achieve the best clinical outcome and be more than £120 per set – your clinician will discuss the options and their recommendations with you during your appointment).
What are the symptoms of a leg ulcer?
- Pain
- Itching
- Swelling
- Discoloration or hardened skin around the ulcer
- Discharge of fluid from the skin (exudate)
What causes leg ulcers?
Leg ulcers are caused by sustained venous hypertension (high blood pressure in the legs), which can be due to chronic venous insufficiency (faulty veins). This can happen when the veins in the legs don’t pump blood back to the heart properly and this can happen due to age, occupation or pregnancy.
What happens if wounds are left untreated?
Any wound that isn’t properly assessed, cleaned and covered can allow bacteria, viruses or fungi to enter through the opening in the skin, leading to infection which can cause the person to become very unwell.
What is a chronic wound?
A break in the skin becomes ‘chronic’ if it does not show substantial healing within 2 or more weeks.
What is a leg ulcer?
A leg ulcer is a wound on the leg that has not shown significant signs of healing in 2 weeks. They usually appear on the inside of the leg, above the ankle.
What is the most common cause of delayed healing of a skin wound?
Infection. A common cause of delayed wound healing is infection.
What types of conditions do Pioneer treat?
At Pioneer we specialise in treating patients suffering with:
- Leg ulcers
- Pressure ulcers (bed sores)
- Wounds from surgery or procedures
- Wounds on the feet, non-Diabetic and Diabetic patients
- Skin/wound infections (Cellulitis)
- Lymphoedema (persistent swelling anywhere on the body)
- Lipoedema (out of proportion body shape with painful limbs)
- Other skin conditions related to the above
You or your loved one may have been dealing with a wound for a long time and do not yet know the type of wound you have. We can also support you in getting this diagnosis.