Lorraine welcomes new role and the chance to raise Lymphoedema awareness | News

Congratulations to Lorraine Brown, Lymphoedema Nurse and Clinical Lead for Tissue Viability and Lymphoedema in community services, who has been appointed co-Vice Chair to the British Lymphology Society (BLS). The BLS is a charity that promotes professional standard in Lymphoedema across the UK. 

Lorraine was approached to take up the post after working as a Trustee for the society over the last six years.

In her role as Trustee, Lorraine has already gained valuable insight and experience to help the Lymphoedema team develop and grow.

She said: “I do feel honoured to be appointed one of the society’s Vice Chairs. It gives me a great opportunity to raise the profile of Lymphoedema and I’m keen to use the role to make a difference and influence services both locally and nationally.

“Lymphoedema services are underfunded across the country, which means Lymphoedema patients get missed.” To tackle this, Lorraine is keen to upskill and educate healthcare professionals who see patients with Lymphoedema or those at risk of developing it, to make sure good advice is being provided and onward referral to a specialist service is carried out where necessary. 

She added: “We find many healthcare professionals are unfamiliar with our service and people often don’t know who we are and what we offer, so when I heard about this appointment, I was pleased that it will help us promote our service more widely and help more patients.” Visit the team’s Roogle page to find out more.

Lymphoedema is swelling commonly affecting a patient’s arm or legs, although other parts of the body may be affected. The condition may occur following cancer treatment, such as radiotherapy or removal of lymph nodes. 

Early intervention to tackle the swelling is vital to prevent the condition worsening.

Our Lymphoedema team teaches patients self-management of Lymphoedema, which involves compression, exercise, skin care and lymphatic drainage. Good management of the swelling can help reduce the risk of complications such as Cellulitis.

Lorraine added: “As well as cancer patients, we also see patients who have a co-morbidity that is causing their Lymphoedema, such as stable heart failure, arthritis, or venous disease. When patients have a condition that prevents them moving around normally, this can also cause Lymphoedema.

“Skin care and exercise are important to manage the problem, which is why the BLS has a campaign called ‘Everybody can’ which encourages everyone to do something – it doesn’t have to be running a marathon, even giving chair exercises a go can help.”

Skin care problems, such as Athlete’s Foot or dry, cracked skin, introduce a risk of infection, which can cause Cellulitis and make Lymphoedema worse, so skin care and hygiene over the affected area is another key BLS message.

To raise awareness around Lymphoedema, Lorraine and her team will be holding a series of chronic oedema study days in 2024. If you would like to find out more about Lymphoedema or book on to a study day, or refer a patient please email: rsch.gw.lymphoedema@nhs.net. 

The team is based at the Beacon Centre at Royal Surrey. It also provides satellite clinics at Haslemere Hospital, Farnham Hospital and a GP surgery in Staines.