Northern Ireland NHS trusts have announced the appointment of Modern Aesthetic Solutions and Dublin distributor, Fleetwood Healthcare, to supply the revolutionary, cost-saving Endovenous Radio Frequency (EVRF) device for the treatment of varicose veins.
Modern Aesthetic Solutions, represented by Dublin-based sub-distributor, Fleetwood Healthcare, were invited to tender against principal long-standing brands at a time when many NHS trusts across the UK and Ireland face mounting pressure to treat all symptomatic varicose veins in accordance with new guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Among GPs, who are predominantly responsible for patient referral, there seems to be a lack of awareness as to the full range of treatments available for varicose veins and, more importantly, their respective cost
Following an extensive selection process, EVRF won in combined quality trials and pricing analysis.
Previously, patient referrals were limited to those patients only displaying significantly symptomatic veins. However, evidence proves that it is more cost effective to treat patients when symptoms first present as opposed to letting them worsen, resulting in higher cost and more invasive treatments for subsequent ulcerations and other potential complications.
The new NICE guidelines mean all symptomatic vein sufferers should now be referred earlier to reduce the cost of the long-term treatment pathway. Moreover, they now specify thermal ablation such as that provided by EVRF, as the preferred treatment option, recognising it as a safe, reliable and cost-effective solution.
The EVRF device, which is exclusive to Modern Aesthetic Solutions in the UK and Ireland, halves the consumable cost per treatment in many cases due to its unique and proprietary radio frequency (RF) catheter. With around 30,000 procedures of this type carried out on average each year, it is estimated that the EVRF could save the NHS as much as £5m per annum on the cost of treatment. Since its market launch, Modern Aesthetic Solutions has fielded an increasing number of enquiries from both the public and private sector.
Adam Rubens, Modern Aesthetic Solutions’ chief executive, said, “With tightening budgets and ever-increasing demand for varicose vein treatment, we are pleased that the cost savings and patient care improvements provided by the EVRF device have been recognised by NHS trusts in Northern Ireland. We are delighted to have secured the supply of RF equipment and catheters for this region and anticipate this trend to continue throughout UK trusts over the coming months.”
In most comparisons, the cost of the unique EVRF catheter is less than half that typically paid by trusts. EVRF is an office-based solution meaning that it can, or should, be performed in an outpatient facility. This frees up theatre space and avoids the need for anaesthetists and ancillary staff, thereby significantly reducing the cost to the hospital. Moreover, the EVRF device is multifunctional, not simply able to treat the GSV but also reticular and perforator veins and spider veins.
A new HR45i probe due to launch imminently will also be able to provide hospitals with a cost saving out-patient procedure for the treatment of haemorrhoids, using the same RF generator.
With tightening budgets and ever-increasing demand for varicose vein treatment, we are pleased that the cost savings and patient care improvements provided by the EVRF device have been recognised by NHS trusts in Northern Ireland
Rubens said: “Among GPs, who are predominantly responsible for patient referral, there seems to be a lack of awareness as to the full range of treatments available for varicose veins and, more importantly, their respective cost. Most will be aware of the generic options such as laser, stripping or radio frequency, but we find that many do not necessarily consider the implications of each, particularly when it comes to cost. Their trusts, managed by the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), will be keen to reduce the treatment cost thereby enabling them to treat a greater volume of patients without impacting on budgets.
“We are engaged in extensive discussions with the public and private sectors throughout the UK, presenting the features and benefits of EVRF to the CCGs to ensure that they, and ultimately their GPs, are fully informed of the options available. We look forward to providing doctors access to direct treatment more specifically so they can benefit from the cost savings available and provide a higher volume of less invasive procedures for patients.”
