New specialist service for Hull lymphoedema patients

29 April, 2013

A brand new service for lymphoedema patients, run by City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP CIC) will be up and running soon. 

Specialist lymphoedema nurse Debbie Allanson will manage the service along with two nursing colleagues, with clinics being held at the new Elliott Chappell Health Centre on Hessle Road until the Westbourne NHS Centre is ready for them to move in. ‘Lymphoedema is a collection of lymphatic fluid that builds up in the tissues under the skin and causes swelling; it can happen anywhere in the body but mainly affects limbs,’ Debbie explained. ‘It can be due to trauma or injury, venous disease, infection, inflammation, immobility or illness such as cancer. Sometimes it’s hereditary. 

‘It’s a lifelong condition and can be very debilitating; our job is to help people reduce their symptoms and give them the tools and support to continue with their own self-care. People with lymphoedema need to maintain a daily routine which may include skin care, gentle exercises, massage and wearing correct medical compression garments to keep the condition controlled.’ 

The new specialist lymphoedema service will take referrals from Hull GPs for people who have a non-cancer lymphoedema diagnosis. It will deliver all aspects of lymphoedema treatment to patients over 18.  Andrew Burnell, Chief Executive of CHCP CIC said, ‘This new service is great news for people in Hull who suffer from this condition and we’re very proud to be one of the leaders in this area. Before this service was commissioned, non-cancer lymphoedema patients would have had to travel to Leeds for treatment so having a local specialist service will be a huge improvement for them.’