Lymphoedema care

We recognise that when you’re first diagnosed with Lymphoedema, it can be a scary and unsettling time. For those of you that have developed the condition after cancer treatment, when you thought it was all behind you, it can be extremely frustrating and upsetting. However, a diagnosis is the start to managing it.

Our team of Lymphoedema practitioners can provide specialist treatment to help you to regain your quality of life, mobility and ease discomfort. They can also provide you with the information you need to better understand your condition and the things you can do to manage it.

What we can offer you

  • Advice and support with skincare to help improve skin health and to reduce risk of infection (Cellulitis).
  • Advice on the use of compression garments such as sleeves or stockings to reduce/control swelling, prevent a deterioration of your condition, improve mobility and ease discomfort.
  • Information on exercises that you can do at home to promote lymphatic drainage in the affected area(s) and to improve mobility.
  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) sessions for patients suffering from head and neck, breast or genital lymphoedema.
  • Signposts to additional support and resources available to help you manage your condition, such as community care support, The British Lymphology Society, The Lymphoedema Support Network, MLD UK and Lipoedema UK.
Lymphoedema Practitioner Glykeria reads a help guide to a patient.

Who we see

We care for patients suffering from lymphoedema in any part of their body as a result of cancer treatment or chronic conditions.

The lymphoedema care we provide is free to NHS patients registered with a GP within our catchment area as outlined below. The NHS service is provided within St John and St Elizabeth Hospital under the hospice or at Charing Cross Hospital.

How to access our service

We welcome referrals for people living with lymphoedema within Brent, Camden, Harrow,  Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster. Referrals can be made to us by your GP, hospital doctor, nurse specialist or community nurse, or by other professionals working across health and social care services.

If you are a health or social care professional and wish to refer a patient to our services, please download and complete a Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form. The form is available to download below. Please return the completed form by email to nhsnwl.stjohnsreferrals@nhs.net.

Download the form

Get in touch

If you have any questions about our lymphoedema care and how we can support you, please contact us by emailing hospicelymphoedema@hje.org.uk or calling us on 020 7432 8274.

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Frequently asked questions

Find out more about St John’s and the care we provide by browsing our list of frequently asked questions.

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