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Varicose veins are a common problem, affecting up to 1 in 3 adults in their lifetime. They are usually a sign of an underlying venous insufficiency.
Thread veins can appear anywhere on the body but are mostly evidenced on the legs and face. They are more common than varicose veins, affecting up to 80% of adults.
Leg ulcers appear as broken skin in the lower leg or feet. We have been successfully treating venous leg ulcers for over 20 years.
Upfront and fixed prices. Find out exactly what you’ll pay before attending. Medical Insurance should fund varicose vein treatment.
We just do veins and are the most experienced clinic in Europe. We strive to provide patients with the best possible service in a friendly environment.
Walk in, walk out treatments typically take around an hour
Largest UK network of specialist clinics
Veincentre Bristol & Oxford & Reading & Southampton
GMC No: 4537045
Dr Mark Bratby is a Consultant Interventional Radiologist and was appointed Medical Director for Veincentre in November 2021. He now works exclusively for Veincentre with regular clinics in Bristol, Oxford, Reading and Southampton. He performed over 800 treatments (EVLA/sclerotherapy) in 2021.
Dr Bratby trained at Cambridge University and Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School (qualified 1998) and was awarded Distinction in Medicine. Mark previously worked for 21 years in the NHS with 11 years as a Consultant Interventional Radiologist at Oxford University Hospital where he was Clinical Governance Lead, College Tutor and Royal College of Radiologists Examiner. He has advised the Royal College of Radiologists through their REAL (Radiology Excellence and Learning) panel which disseminates learning to promote best practice at a national level. He established a vascular malformation service in Oxford.
In his role as Medical Director, Mark has overseen opening of 10 new Veincentre clinic locations in 2022 and granted practising privileges to 19 Vascular Specialists to join the Veincentre Consultant team. The Glasgow clinic was inspected in June 2022 by Health Inspectorate Scotland and graded as “Good” across all key quality indicators and commented on vision and leadership “The service’s approach to quality improvement was comprehensive and evident throughout all aspects of the service. We saw evidence of best practice and continuing professional and personal development. A formal quality improvement plan in place with identified outcomes implemented.” The report also commented on Safe delivery of Care “The service was proactive in its approach to making sure it was safe. Staff had an extensive understanding of risk management principles and robust policies and procedures were in place. Quality assurance processes included appropriate audits, both internal and external. A variety of policies and procedures were in place to make sure care was safely delivered”. Mark has established in-house Advanced Practice Seminars within Veincentre to share all the combined experience across the current thirty-four (and growing) body of Consultant Vascular Specialists.
Dr Bratby has a strong research background and has written 50 peer-reviewed papers on vascular interventional radiology and presented at numerous national and international meetings, notably being awarded Editor’s Gold Medal for a randomised controlled trial of fibroid embolisation compared to myomectomy. Dr Bratby’s research papers can be found underneath his “Working at Veincentre” statement below.
Dr Bratby is a keen skier, leisurely cyclist and enthusiastic gardener. His other passion is opera supporting Garsington opera in Oxfordshire. He gets away for an annual sailing trip with friends and trips over the last two decades have included a night-sail across the channel and sailing adventures around the Firth of Clyde.
Aneurysmal bone cysts in the spine, causing neurological compromise: safety and clinical efficacy of sclerotherapy utilizing sodium Tetradecyl sulfate foam.
Rectal Venous Malformation Treated by Superior Rectal Artery Embolization.
The Clots in Legs Or sTockings after Stroke (CLOTS) 3 trial: a randomised controlled trial to determine whether or not intermittent pneumatic compression reduces the risk of post-stroke deep vein thrombosis and to estimate its cost-effectiveness.
Deep vein thrombosis: remember the mechanical causes.
Dr Bratby has committed to working at Veincentre clinics on the above days. If you book an initial consultation with Dr Bratby, all your future appointments will be with Dr Bratby. As such, it is important to note that if you opt to go ahead with treatment this will be undertaken with Dr Bratby on a Thursday (as will all future follow-up appointments).
Occasionally Dr Bratby may open up a list on another day, especially during our busy periods, however, we cannot guarantee appointment dates every weekday even if a previous appointment was on a different day. If you are unable to attend one of Dr Bratby’s dates and hence wish to switch consultants, you will need to attend and pay for a new consultation with the other consultant prior to any treatment being undertaken. Please take care when choosing which consultant/ date to book.
Please note that due to holidays Dr Bratby may not be available every week.
“I enjoy working for the Veincentre as the organisation and support from all the staff allow me to focus on providing the best care to patients. The whole process from the information on the website, to the first contact with Veincentre through to treatment, is seamless and gives patient assurance of a high-quality healthcare provider. There are robust governance frameworks and experience across the organisation to draw on for advice if needed.”
Here you can read some of the research papers that Dr Bratby has written, all about vascular interventional radiology.
Paper 1
Aneurysmal bone cysts in the spine, causing neurological compromise: safety and clinical efficacy of sclerotherapy utilizing sodium Tetradecyl sulfate foam. Dalili D, Parker J, Mirzaian A, Teh J, Bratby M, Mansour R, Reynolds J.Skeletal Radiol. 2021 Dec;50(12):2433-2447
Paper 2
Rectal Venous Malformation Treated by Superior Rectal Artery Embolization. El-Sheikha J, Little M W, Bratby M. CVIR. 2019. 42(1):154-157.
Paper 3
The Clots in Legs Or sTockings after Stroke (CLOTS) 3 trial: a randomised controlled trial to determine whether or not intermittent pneumatic compression reduces the risk of post-stroke deep vein thrombosis and to estimate its cost-effectiveness. Dennis M, Sandercock P, Graham C, Forbes J; CLOTS (Clots in Legs Or sTockings after Stroke) Trials Collaboration; Smith J.Health Technol Assess. 2015 Sep;19(76):1-90. Trial collaborator.
Paper 4
Deep vein thrombosis: remember the mechanical causes. Dobbs TD, Aveyard N, Bratby MJ, Hormbrey P.Emerg Med J. 2015
