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Lymphoedema service celebrates 10 years of care.
Compton Hospice's lymphoedema unit will celebrate its ten-year anniversary on June 1.
Compton Hospice’s lymphoedema unit will celebrate its ten-year anniversary on June 1.
Having started out with one member of staff, lymphoedema specialist and current manager, over the last decade it has grown to become one of the largest specialist lymphoedema units in the UK .
It is now staffed by five nurses and three administrative staff and, to date, it has treated around 2,500 people with 250 new patients registering each year, but many people still do not realise the service is available through the hospice.
Lymphoedema is the swelling of a part of the body due to a build up of fluid in the skin. It usually affects the legs or arms, but can affect any part of the body.
This swelling occurs when there is a problem with the lymphatic system, the part of your immune system responsible for cleansing your tissues and maintaining a balance of fluids in your body.
If the lymphatic system is not working correctly, the fluid in the tissues builds up.
Although it can be a common side effect of cancer, it can affect people of all ages and for many different reasons.
Babies can be born with a defective lymphatic system, or it can be damaged after an injury or trauma.
Compton ‘s clinic treats all forms of the condition in adults, regardless of cause, and is one of only a small number of hospice units that does this.
Some regions do not have access to a specialist lymphoedema unit at all, although a recent study suggested 100,000 people in the may be affected by the condition, which can be extremely uncomfortable and can affect mobility and movement.
Based at the Cedars site, it currently treats around 200 adults per week from the Wolverhampton, and surrounding areas.
The service is free of charge to users and is funded through donations to Compton Hospice.
Because the underlying causes of lymphoedema are usually irreversible, there is no permanent cure, but appropriate treatment can reduce the swelling and help people live with their condition long-term.
Practitioners at Compton Hospice offer patients an individual plan that will give them the best chance of improvement, helping them live normal, active and independent lives.
Treatment involves a combination of skin care, exercise, lymphatic drainage (a special massage technique) and compression bandaging.
While some patients are discharged after a series of treatments, others remain under the care of the lymphoedema team for life.
Head of the service at Compton, Jane, is also dedicated to furthering lymphoedema care on a national scale.
She has developed new technology that is widely used in clinics and hospitals across the country and is regularly asked to talk about the subject at conferences and in medical publications.
She runs courses through the hospice’s education department for healthcare professionals in hospitals, nursing homes and private clinics.
These include short courses focusing on lymphoedema as well as modules towards a degree in palliative or speciality care, and Jane is the only accredited teacher in the to train people in a specific method of lymphatic drainage, called the Leduc method.
Jane said: “I feel extremely proud to have been a part of building the lymphoedema unit at Compton Hospice and feel we offer one of the best services in the whole country here in.
“We have state-of-the-art equipment and staff who are committed to providing the highest quality service.
“And to have achieved this in our first ten years is wonderful.
“Everyone, across all the services at the hospice, feels proud to be associated with an organisation that is renowned for its dedication to quality care.
“I know I, and my colleagues, are looking forward to futhering the service over the next decade to come.”
If you have any further questions about Compton Hospice and General, please call 0845 225 5497 or contact us. We will do our utmost to help with your enquiry.
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