The treatment of uncomplicated leg ulcers has not always been carried out effectively. In this article, the authors introduce an evidence-based clinical guideline for the treatment of uncomplicated leg ulcers and highlight some of the key recommendations. This is to be launched at Nursing Standard’s conference on evidence-based nursing this week (See page 56).

In 1996, the NHS Executive (NHSE) commissioned the RCN to develop a clinical guideline on the management of uncomplicated venous leg ulcers. The guideline was undertaken in collaboration with the Centre for Evidence-based Nursing at the University of York and built on previous work on an NHSE-funded guideline. Updated sections of an earlier systematic review (Cullum 1994), the Effective Health Care Bulletin (CRD 1997) on compression therapy for venous ulcers, a systematic review in progress by the Centre for Evidence-based Nursing, and the NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination on wound cleansing, debridement, and dressings, along with expert opinion, formed the evidence base for the resulting recommendations. This article introduces the guideline and some of its key recommendations.