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Vascular Studies Unit (VSU)

Surgery

The Vascular Studies Unit is an essential part of the Vascular Surgery team. The team perform non-invasive ultrasound investigations to diagnose and monitor diseases of the arteries and the veins.

Meet the team

All of the Clinical Vascular Scientists are either accredited by the Society of Vascular Technology of Great Britain and Ireland, or working towards accreditation.

The team are proactive at continuing professional development to ensure that we always provide a high standard of care to our patients. This includes teaching, attending vascular conferences, and sitting on professional committees.

Robert Elliott MSc AVS
Lead Clinical Vascular Scientist

Laura Scott PhD AVS
Senior Clinical Vascular Scientist

Charlotte Taylor MSc AVS
Clinical Vascular Scientist

Isabel Softley MSc AVS
Clinical Vascular Scientist

Emily Alderson MSc
Clinical Vascular Scientist

Harry Knight MSc
Clinical Vascular Scientist

Jake Elvin MSc
Clinical Vascular Scientist

Joseph Law BSc
Trainee Clinical Vascular Scientist

Keely Tizzard BSc
Trainee Clinical Vascular Scientist

Nodi Zaman BSc
Trainee Clinical Vascular Scientist

Jo Denton
Senior Vascular Studies Unit Coordinator

Tim Green
Senior Vascular Studies Unit Coordinator

What we do

The Vascular Studies Unit consists of 4 scanning rooms and separate inpatient and outpatient waiting areas.

We perform the following investigations on inpatients, outpatients, and in consultant and nurse led one-stop clinics.

Arterial Investigations

These investigations are requested to diagnose and monitor arterial disease. The arteries carry blood away from the heart to supply the extremities.

  • Ankle brachial pressure indices (ABPIs)
  • Lower limb arterial treadmill test
  • Toe Pressures
  • Carotid duplex scan
  • Lower limb arterial duplex scan
  • Peripheral bypass graft surveillance
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) scan
  • Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) surveillance
  • Upper limb arterial duplex scan
  • Thoracic outlet investigation
  • Cold intolerance test (Raynaud's)

Venous Investigations

These investigations are requested to diagnose and monitor venous disease. The veins carry blood from the extremities back to the heart and they have valves to help control flow in the right direction. If the veins are not working properly, the ultrasound scan can map out the problem veins enabling the consultant to plan your treatment.

  • Lower limb venous insufficiency duplex scan

Other

  • Vein mapping for arterial bypass surgery
  • Haemodialysis access fistula (HAF) surveillance
Bed with ultrasound machine Vascular studies ultrasound
Bed with ultrasound machine Vascular studies ultrasound

Appointments

An appointment for a vascular ultrasound scan can be requested for inpatients and outpatients by clinicians at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

We do not accept self-referrals or direct GP referrals. All referrals must come from hospital clinicians.

GPs should refer patients with suspected vascular disease to the vascular outpatients department to see one of the vascular consultants in clinic.

We do not provide the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) service for the trust. Patients who are worried about this should first contact their GP who can refer them directly to the thrombosis treatment team for DVT assessment. If you are unable to see your GP for any reason you can go to your nearest emergency department.

Please see the thrombosis treatment team webpage for more information.

Cancelling or rearranging an appointment

  • If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment for any reason please call us on 01223 348117.
  • If you have had diarrhoea and vomiting or flu please do not attend the hospital until you are 48 hours symptom free.
  • Please give us as much notice as possible as we may be able to offer somebody else your appointment slot.

Please give us as much notice as possible as we may be able to offer somebody else your appointment slot.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we ask that you attend any appointments alone unless you require essential support. If so, only one other person will be permitted to join you in your appointment.

Please do not attend your appointment if you are symptomatic.

How to find us

The Vascular Studies Unit is on level 5 of the Addenbrookes Treatment Centre. Walk into the reception area and immediately turn right. Take the lift up to level 5. Turn right as you come out of the lift. Our reception office is located just in front of ward M5.

The nearest car park is car park 2. Below is a map of the CUH site.

Patient information

To access detailed information about the investigations we provide, click on the links below or contact us on 01223 348117.

Further information about vascular disease can be found on the websites below:

Stoke Association (opens in a new tab)

The Circulation Foundation (opens in a new tab)

How to comment on your care

We always aim to provide the best possible service, and staff will be happy to answer your questions. However, you can also contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) with any compliments or concerns by telephone 01223 216756 or email PALS

Careers

Any training positions and posts for qualified staff within Addenbrooke’s Vascular Studies Unit are advertised on the NHS recruitment site (opens in a new tab).

Vascular studies ultrasound scan Vascular studies ultrasound scan
Vascular studies ultrasound scan Vascular studies ultrasound scan