South Eastern Trust Lymphoedema Service Update

Service Figures Since service started (Feb09) we have received nearly 600 referrals. April 2010-March 2011 – 230 new referrals – 45% North Down and Ards – 55% Down and Lisburn – 700+ review patients (350x2) There has been a change in where our referrals come from: April09-Mar10 57% from acute setting and 43% from community April10–Mar11 30% from acute setting and 70% from community Hopefully this reflects an improved awareness of lymphoedema in the community and an improvement in surgical techniques therefore a decrease in acute referrals.

Garments 2 new garments are provided at each review if required so 700 R/V’s = 1400 garments Price ranges of garments: – Arm sleeves £20-£50 each – Below knee £30-£60 per pair – Thigh length £50-£100 per pair – Bra’s, tights, pants etc £80-£120 Average eg £50x1400 = £70,000 Our budget is £11,000 to include all garments, pharmacy goods, travel and office supplies, which is why it is so important for us to use garments available on prescription.

Access to Treatment Initially treatment was available in: – UHD – Lisburn We have moved through many different options and appreciate your patience as we have tried to source appropriate clinical spaces and now have treatment rooms available in: – UHD (patient’s attending for oncology treatment only)-0% – Lisburn (Lagan Valley - Old Psychiatry Building)-30% – Downpatrick (Pound Lane Health Centre – for review)-100% – Bangor (Bangor Community Hospital)-100% Percentages show whether these treatment spaces are private which is an area we know is important to our patients but is very difficult to achieve within the Trust.

Information Provision New at-risk booklets (UL/LL/non-cancer) have been developed and issued for inclusion in pre-operative information packs within the breast care team and those having node removal surgery. New leaflets re exercise, SLD, MLLB, garment application and removal have also been developed and have been in use since April11.

Education Awareness postcards have been sent out to all GP’s and nursing homes in the Trust. There have been links made with the University of Ulster and there is now a lecture on lymphoedema at undergraduate level taught to podiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and therapeutic radiography students. Education within the trust to different professionals is ongoing, and we are hoping to put together an e- learning package that will be available to all staff on the intranet.