A team of nurses and therapists want to tell the world about their new Lymphoedema Clinic which is dedicated to treating people with cancer.
The new clinic had a low-key opening this summer, but now the team are up to speed and ready to see more patients.
The service is funded by Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board with the aim to support people across the region who have been diagnosed with cancer related Lymphoedema. The clinic also marks the first-time the Hummingbird Centre has offered a nurse-led service on-site, in Launton, near Bicester.
Lymphoedema is a build-up of lymph fluid that causes swelling in the body’s tissues. This occurs if the lymph nodes and lymph vessels that carry the lymph fluid away are not working properly. It can affect any part of the body.
There is no cure for lymphoedema, but with the right treatment the symptoms can be improved and well-managed. The new clinic offers advice and education, treatments and support patients to self-manage their condition.
Zoe Draper, who heads up the Hummingbird Centre’s Lymphoedema Clinic, is a highly experienced nurse with almost three decades working in the NHS. She said anyone who wants to access the service needs to be medically referred by their GP or clinician via the referral form on the Hummingbird Centre’s website.
She said: “It has taken a number of months to set up the service and fine tune everything. We’ve seen dozens of patients already and now we are now keen to spread the word because we want to help as many people as possible. “The message from us is, if anyone out there who has been diagnosed with cancer related Lymphoedema, who has seen a specialist or is on a waiting list, please get in touch. We know people can be on a waiting list for at least six months or longer, with our service we currently have the capacity to see new referrals. “We know during that with time the condition could get worse and Lymphoedema has a huge impact on people’s health and well-being as a whole. We are ready and waiting to help”
Hummingbird Centre guest Gilly Windle had surgery after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and used the Lymphoedema Clinic. She said: “I emailed the centre and arranged to go and meet up with them – what a fabulous friendly place.
“You’re welcomed with a drink and cake, and then I talked through my cancer journey. I was able to access complementary therapies, counselling and all the other activities held at the centre. I was referred to the Lymphoedema Clinic and the nurses were brilliant. I love this place and met some amazing people!”
For further information call 01869 244244
Article written by Sam McGregor PR Correspondent for The Hummingbird Centre