The lymphoedema service was set up in 1996 to provide advice and treatment for patients with lymphoedema.

We are able to offer assessment and treatment to patients requiring palliative lymphoedema care within the Hospice setting but also to patients who have lymphoedema which is not related to cancer and its treatment.

The lymphoedema service is a Nurse led service and is run by nurses with specialist training in the assessment and management of lymphoedema.

What is lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema is swelling due to an accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Swelling often affects arms and legs but can affect any part of the body

Lymphoedema can occur as a side effect of some cancers and their treatment. It can also occur due to injury or infection where there is damage to the lymphatic vessels preventing normal function. Swelling can also be caused by reduced mobility or obesity or problems with the circulatory system which in turn overload the lymphatic system. Swelling due to these causes is known as Secondary lymphoedema. It can also be due to a dysfunction of the lymphatic system which some people are born with or develop later in life known as Primary Lymphoedema.  It is a chronic swelling, which can cause discomfort and affect people’s ability to live and work normally. This condition cannot be cured but may be improved with appropriate treatment. Effective management of the swelling can enable people to perform their everyday activities and routines.

Who can be seen?

We are able to see patients who live within the Hospice catchment area in West Kent and East Sussex but also patients who have a GP in within the wider NHS West Kent PCT. We treat patients with lymphoedema   related to  both cancer and non-cancer causes.  We are able to offer home visits for patients who live in the hospice catchment area and whose condition prevents them from attending clinic

Treatments

Individual treatment plans will be identified following an initial assessment to determine clinical need, and may include a combination of different treatments:

• Advice regarding daily management
• Simple lymphatic drainage (A form of self massage)
• Medical lymphatic drainage (Specialist massage)
• Multi-layer lymphoedema bandaging
• Use of a specialist compression pump
• Kinesio taping
• Compression garments