Guildford team recognised with CNO Silver Award for transforming community leg care
An innovative community leg care service in Guildford has been recognised with a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Silver Award for improving outcomes and experience for patients living with leg ulcers.
The team from Procare - NHS GP Federation and Guildford East Primary Care Network (PCN) received the award for developing and delivering the Legs Get Together clinic, a multidisciplinary approach bringing primary care, community nursing and social prescribing together in a familiar community setting.
The idea was to bring the different teams together to provide care in one place, while giving patients the opportunity to meet and support others going through a similar experience. Practice nurses, Procare community nurses and social prescribers work side by side, making it easier for patients to access care and creating a friendly and supportive environment.
Patients are assessed on the day, with no waiting list for appointments, including those for compression therapy. Patients are encouraged to arrive early and spend time together, creating a natural peer environment that benefits wellbeing as well as clinical outcomes. Those who have healed are encouraged to continue attending for a drink and a chat, so any concerns about their legs deteriorating can be picked up and acted on at an early stage.
The model has also helped make better use of NHS resources, freeing up clinical rooms within practices and enabling different members of the workforce to work together around patients’ needs.
Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, the clinic recorded 1,181 visits from 63 members. The total number of patients is currently 123. Outcome data shows that 75% of ulcers healed within one to 12 weeks.
The benefits extend beyond clinical outcomes. A patient survey carried out in March 2026 found that 100% of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with their welcome, care, comfort, treatment and involvement in decisions about their care.
Patients described the clinic as somewhere they look forward to attending and where they feel welcomed, listened to and well cared for.
One patient said:
“I value the time the nursing team takes to treat my legs and everyone else’s legs, it’s wonderful.”
Another patient said:
“Coming to the leg club has made a great difference to me and I need to visit my GP surgery much less
The clinic has also developed strong links with local organisations including the Falls Responder Service, Age UK and local Fire and Rescue teams, who have attended sessions to provide wellbeing checks, safety advice and practical support.
A dedicated volunteer team and fortnightly seated exercise classes provide additional opportunities for patients to stay active, improve their wellbeing and build connections with others.
The team recently welcomed Professor Ellie Lindsay OBE, founder of the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation, to the clinic to see the service in action.
Jane Fagan, Chief Operating Officer at Procare, said :
“This is a really good example of primary care and community nursing services working collaboratively.”
Kayleigh Moyse, Guildford East Primary Care Network Manager, said:
"The Legs Get Together clinic is a great example of the neighbourhood approach in practice."
Ailsa Horsburgh, Head of Nursing at Procare Adult Community Nursing, said:
“I’d firstly like to acknowledge Kayleigh and her drive to make this project happen. These projects often need someone to drive them forward, and Kayleigh was that person. Procare’s involvement in supporting the Leg Club has shown what can be achieved when community and primary care teams work together. Most importantly, patients have benefited from a more joined-up, person-centred approach to care.”
Following the success of the project, the teams are looking forward to building on this partnership and exploring new opportunities to work together to improve care and experiences for local people.
Find out more about Procare - NHS GP Federation