NURSES are adopting a new approach to treating lower leg problems by launching a innovative service for patients.

Clacton Leg Club is the brainchild of Kelly Buxey, community nursing lead for Tendring South, who has 12 years experience.

The service will operate once a week for patients suffering from leg ulcers to mobility issues, eczema or chronic pain - but the difference is it aims to tackle the social implications attached to these conditions as well.

Mrs Buxey said: “The dissertation for my district nursing degree explored the healing rates for patients with lower leg wounds and why some struggle with having a leg ulcer.

“From reviewing the statistics and looking at my own area of practice, I identified a gap in those patients’ care.

"Although their medical needs were being treated, there were wider psychological and social factors associated with those patients which weren’t being met by the traditional services.

“I also found there were other ways this care was being provided for differently in some localities using the model of a leg club.”

Clacton Leg Club follows the already successful Lindsay Leg Clubs, which are set up in the UK, Germany and Australia.

Volunteers will run the service alongside four qualified nurses for patients registered at South Tendring GP practices before later being extended to hopefully cover North Tendring and Colchester.

She said: “By developing this service it’s hoped patients will receive collective treatment, which as well as being positive for them, will reduce service costs and the extensive pressure the community nursing service is under.

“It works in a different way to traditional healthcare so members, and this includes families, can rely on a venue where their needs will be met within a social model of care.

“They’ll have access to treatment, equipment, nutritional, leg and general health advice plus enjoy social interaction.”

It is estimated the club will need annual funding of about £2,000 to remain viable.

A start-up grant of £15,000 from Anglian Community Enterprise launched the club alongside support from Urgo Medical, Tesco and Clacton Rugby Club.

Mrs Buxey and colleague Nikki Smith were amongst 35 people who took part in a 24-hour run at Fight Fit Systems gym in Clacton.

The challenge alone raised £2,270 and participants covered a distance of more than 270 miles.

Clacton Leg Club runs on a drop-in basis each Thursday from 12.30pm until 4pm at Clacton Rugby Club, Valley Road.

For more information, email clactononsealegclub@gmail.com.