1-5 November was Lymphoedema Awareness Week campaigning for better awareness and understanding of lymphoedema among GPs, healthcare professionals and patients.   With at least 100,000 lymphoedema sufferers in the UK and Ireland, the Lymphoedema Team at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice set about to raise awareness of the condition at various locations across the region including the Douglas Macmillan Centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital (Sidcup) and Broadway Shopping Centre (Bexleyheath).

“The week provoked an interesting response from the general public and healthcare professionals alike,” said Diane Cheevers, Lymphoedema Specialist Lead Nurse at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice.  We hope that we’ve enabled a better understanding of the condition and that more people will know where to come if they or a friend need help. ”

Lymphoedema is a swelling that can occur in any part of the body but is most commonly seen in the arm or leg and is caused by problems with the lymphatic system. The condition is often poorly diagnosed and some people are still told that nothing can be done to help often confusing the condition with cellulitis or simple skin infections.

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice provides a service to help patients with lymphoedema, by treating the condition as far as possible and then teaching patients and their carers how to manage their condition at home.

The condition is not curable but it can be managed by self massage, skin care, exercise and compression garments.

To access the Lymphoedema Service at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice and/or for more information call 020 8320 5806 or email dianecheevers@gbch.org.uk .

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice would like to thank CAMEL (Care and Massage Eases Lymphoedema), Broadway Shopping Centre (Bexleyheath), Bartletts Florist (Welling), Loose Linen Ltd (Welling), Harry's Car Service (Abbey Wood), Abbey Wood Station Cars and Carlton (Welling) for their help and support during Lymphoedema Awareness Week.