Support for People with Lymphoedema

What is Lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema occurs when the body’s lymphatic system fails to control the fluid balance in the tissue spaces. As a result, swelling (or oedema) occurs. Any area of the body can be affected, but most commonly it occurs in the upper and lower limbs.

Lymphoedema is categorised into Primary and Secondary types. Though there is no cure, it is possible to teach and support patients to manage the condition as effectively as possible.

How we can help

Properly diagnosing lymphoedema requires detailed assessment, involving two sessions, a 60-minute
telephone consultation as well as a 60-minute face-to-face assessment. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, a treatment plan can be created for you to follow.

The treatment plan will include advice on skin care, movement, compression, and massage. You’ll
be invited to attend the clinic for a review six weeks after assessment, to monitor your progress.

Subsequent reviews usually take place at three months, six months and twelve months; these
appointments also take an hour. 

Should you require additional treatments these may include compression bandaging and Manual
Lymphatic Drainage massage, which may take 45 – 75 minutes.

Once your lymphoedema is deemed stable and your GP can provide you with compression garments on
prescription, you may be ready for discharge from the lymphoedema service. If this isn’t possible because you require made-to-measure compression garments, you may need to attend a six-monthly
review and re-measuring for new compression garments.

The cost of garments of a special nature that can’t be arranged by a GP, must be paid for by patients.

Session fees and where are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered at our comfortable and welcoming Saint Catherine’s Wellbeing Centre, Throxenby Lane, Scarborough YO12 5RE.

Onsite parking is available free of charge.

We can only accept referrals made by your GP, Consultant or Specialist Clinician.

For session fees, to book your initial assessment or for more information, please call 01723 351421 or call into the Wellbeing Centre and speak to one of our staff. 

Contact Us

Whether you’d like to ask us a question, need to raise a point or would like to leave us feedback, we’d love to hear from you! You can find our details at the top of every page or by visiting our contact page.