Macmillan Lymphoedema Project for Scotland Update – May 2013
Published: 17 June 2013
Top Tips for the Self Management of Lymphoedema – A Guide Following the launch in October 2013, we can report that Top Tips has now been formally adopted by NHS Inform and Macmillan Cancer Support. The Guide can be accessed and downloaded from either website’s lymphoedema pages Spring Soiree Friday 17th May 2013 saw our project host another exciting event for people with all types of lymphoedema and their carers here at the ALLIANCE.
Top Tips for the Self Management of Lymphoedema – A Guide
Following the launch in October 2013, we can report that Top Tips has now been formally adopted by NHS Inform and Macmillan Cancer Support. The Guide can be accessed and downloaded from either website’s lymphoedema pages
Spring Soiree
Friday 17th May 2013 saw our project host another exciting event for people with all types of lymphoedema and their carers here at the ALLIANCE. The morning comprised of working sessions focussed on the development of a 'Vision Statement' for lymphoedema care in Scotland' and 'Priorities for Future Care'. Participants then enjoyed presentations on:-
Paths for All – A thought provoking presentation on this national project which promotes walking for health in Scotland and the physical and psychological benefits increased physical activity can bring. There are already over 200 based schemes and 200 work based schemes that people can access. (http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/pfa/health-walks/get-walking.html)
ALISS (Access to local information to support self management for people with long term conditions) - Participants undertook group work to identify services and support in their local areas. There was also a demonstration on how to search and upload information onto ALISS. www.aliss.org
Patient Opinion - We were interested to hear about this independent feedback website which enables patients to share their experiences of healthcare services, both good and bad, in an anonymous way with a view to raising awareness and influencing positive change to healthcare www.patientopinion.org.uk
The next two sessions focussed on Simple Lymphatic Drainage (provided by the Nursing and Health School, University of Glasgow) and Chi Gung (provided by Macmillan Cancer Support), both of which were interactive and encouraged people to participate. The day concluded with a short meditation session and a prize raffle.
We were grateful to all of the help provided by facilitators, session presenters and especially participants for making the day a great success.
An ‘Event Report’ containing a detailed review of the day’s sessions will be prepared for publication by the ALLIANCE later this year.
Development of National Recommendations for Lymphoedema
Members of the Project Steering Group have been co-opted onto a Scottish Government Working Group to develop national recommendations for lymphoedema care in Scotland. The Working Group is comprised of specialists from all over Scotland. The output from the Top Tips events, Spring Soiree and background work undertaken as part of the project will be incorporated into the recommendations which should be completed later this year. This has been a great opportunity for our project to influence clinical practice across Scotland.
International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF) Conference 2014
We are pleased to announce that our colleagues from the Nursing and Health School at the University of Glasgow have been successful in a bid to host the 2014 ILF Conference in Glasgow. This is an International Conference and delegates will be travelling from all over the world to attend. Macmillan Cancer Support and the ALLIANCE are supporting the conference together with the British Lymphology Society and Lymphoedema Support Network. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work of our project to colleagues from other countries and to raise greater awareness of lymphoedema in Scotland.
First published: 17 June 2013