Q: I have a prescription for Preventex stockings size large, I cannot seem to find them anywhere, are they allowed on an NHS prescription?

A: Preventex are a range of anti-embolism stockings designed to reduce the risk of developing a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).   

Anti-embolism stockings such as Preventex or T.E.D. stockings can be either thigh length or below knee and are designed specifically to prevent accumulation of blood in a patient’s leg due to immobility resulting from surgery or being less active than normal, where they may spend more time in bed or in a chair etc. In these situations, patients will be at an increased risk of the formation of blood clots.

They work by giving a graduated compression to the leg that increases the linear velocity of venous blood flow thus improving valvular function and increase the blood flow function back to the heart.

However there are some patients who should not wear anti-embolism stockings

• Patients who have had recently had a stroke,
• narrowing of the arteries leading to the legs,
• fragile or eczema on the skin on the legs, 
• swollen legs,
• gangrene.

Anti-embolism stockings or tights are classed as a medical device having a CE mark on them and as such have to be listed in the appliance section of the Drug Tariff to be dispensed on an NHS prescription.  At the time of writing (May 2024) they are NOT listed  but, of course, they can be purchased and are most likely to be  given out at the hospital at the time of an operation.