Spotlight on… our Lymphoedema Team
This Lymphoedema Awareness Week, we're celebrating our brilliant team at St Ann's.
Lymphoedema is a swelling which can occur in any part of the body. Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system does not drain properly. This can be for various reasons such as genetic conditions, traumas, vascular problems and cancer and it’s treatments.
Lymphoedema is a chronic condition, which means that unfortunately currently there is no cure. But our Lymphoedema Team help patients to manage their symptoms, reduce swellings and reduce the risk of the condition getting worse.
We’re proud to have a dedicated team of specialists who work hard to support people living with lymphoedema.
This Lymphoedema Week (1st – 6th March), we wanted to celebrate Fiona, Lucie and Lisa in our Lymphoedema Team by sharing some of the brilliant feedback we’ve received from patients and other organisations we work with…
“I’ve got my mobility back and am much more active now. I don’t have as many leg appointments any more, so I’ve got more time to do things I enjoy. Me and my wife are even thinking about going away on holiday for the first time in years. I feel like I’ve got my life back.”
Dennis
Retired taxi driver and patient
You can read Dennis’ full story online on the Legs Matter website.
Fiona, Lisa and the team have made a massive difference to my life. Things are looking good. I had never heard of the Lymphoedema service, until I needed to use it. However, I now KNOW it is an essential service that should be available in every area. I can’t speak highly enough of the people who carry out this service. Lymphoedema patient
“As the Macmillan programme manager for Greater Manchester Cancer’s Lymphoedema programme during 2019 -2020, I worked extremely closely with St Ann’s Hospice Lymphoedema service.
“I worked particularly closely with Fiona Sanderson, Lymphoedema Specialist. Fiona has driven forward the patient’s voice, and shown the results of how she can turn someone’s life around by treating their condition with her expertise in intensive treatment. Fiona has also driven forward education for the palliative care and end of life workforce that will be implemented across Greater Manchester and I cannot wait to see the long-term outcomes of this piece of work.
“Fiona wouldn’t have been able to drive this transformation without the rest of her team, so I also thank Lucie and Lisa for all their hard work and commitment to lymphoedema. St Ann’s Hospice was an integral part of the two-year programme and will also continue to drive forward change for people affected by lymphoedema.”
Debra Allcock,
Facilitator for the GM Lymphoedema Transformation Network
The lymphoedema team receives referrals from 7 CCG’s for people with both cancer and non-cancer related lymphoedema. Lymphoedema services are not easy to access and our patients are so grateful that the Hospice supports the team and continues to help it develop. We with other services across Greater Manchester and Lucie is on the British lymphology Society committee. We hope we can continue to learn and develop so we can continue to offer this support to more people. We love what we do and we love it more when we can see how it benefits people. Fiona and the Lymphoedema Team
Our services
We don't just care for people with cancer, we also support people with conditions like Lymphoedema, at all stages of their illness. All our services are free of charge, and the sooner we’re involved, the more we can help.
Find out more about our services