AN Eastleigh clinic for people with leg problems has proved so successful the scheme is being extended to other parts of the borough.

Patients are being offered a little more TLC with the launch of a second leg ulcer clinic in Hedge End.

The first dose of TLC - also known as The Leg Clinic - was launched by Eastleigh and Test Valley South Primary Care Trust (PCT) in September when nurse Lisa Rice started a new service for local people with leg ulcers at Eastleigh Health Centre.

It came about after an audit last year which revealed that patients were not always being offered the most effective, up-to-date leg ulcer treatments available. The Leg Clinic was set up to offer the most effective treatments and practices in one specialised clinic at a single site.

It has proved so successful that the PCT is today opening a second clinic at St Luke Surgery in Hedge End and there are also plans to open a third facility in Romsey in January.

Ms Rice said: "We've seen a significant improvement in healing rates at the Eastleigh Clinic and we've also been able to improve cost effectiveness.

"We've had lots of positive feedback from patients too. They prefer coming to the clinic because it helps them to get out and meet other people who know what it's like to have a leg ulcer."

District nurse Monique Rosell will run the Hedge End clinic which is open to the patients from the southern parishes.

In addition to the initial treatment of leg ulcers, she will be running follow-up clinics to help prevent leg ulcers recurring and treat any secondary deterioration as soon as possible. The clinics take place on Thursdays from 9am to 12pm at St Luke's Surgery, Hedge End. To find out more, call 023 8067 3678.