Lymphoedema Service

Lymphoedema Service

Main Address

Update for patients, May 2020:
Referrals are being accepted and will be triaged as normal. Telephone consultations are being offered for assessments. Please note that due to restrictions as a result of COVID-19, routine appointments for patients already under the care of the service are being offered as telephone consultations instead. If this applies to you, our team will be in touch to arrange a time and date.
 
The aim of the service is to:
  • Assess and treat patients with:
    • Primary Lymphoedema; where swelling is related to an underlying intrinsic problem with the lymphatic system which is often hereditary
    • Secondary Lymphoedema ; where swelling, in any part of the body, is caused by extrinsic factors including damage to the lymphatic system or disruption to drainage pathways which can be as a result of cancer or its  treatment, infection, injury or trauma,  inflammation of the limb, or a lack of limb movement.
  • To advice and support health care professionals on the management of patients with all categories Lymphoedema.
  • Rising awareness of cellulitis management in patients with Lymphoedema including current management practice and guidelines.

Referrals
  • Referrals are accepted for oncology patients with swelling or who are at risk of swelling secondary to cancer treatment or disease progression. A priority triage category will be given to referrals for assessment of  lymphoedema secondary to oncological causes or those where the patient is receiving palliative or end of life care.
  • Non- cancer related referrals will be accepted for patients with swelling of longer than 3 months duration which has not responded  to elevation or diuretics
  • Lymphoedema referrals are triaged according to category and allocated to the most appropriate local clinic dependant on CCG.
  • All requests for domiciliary visits for patients with an Islington GP will be assessed on an individual basis and patients will be asked to attend a clinic if there are no health related contra-indications noted. Hospital transport can be requested if patients meet the eligibility criteria. This service is not commissioned for home visits in Haringey
  • Referrals are accepted from any health professional for patients aged 18 years or over who live or have a GP in Haringey or Islington.
  • We are unable to accept self-referral from patients.
 
To refer to the Lymphoedema Service , please complete the relevant forms listed below and return  to the e-mail address on the form:
 

Alternatively, a medical clinic letter from a healthcare professional will be accepted on clinician’s discretion. Please ensure that it is e-mailed to the central booking service whh-tr.arti.centralbooking@nhs.net.

Waiting times
 
We aim to see patient on receipt of referral:
  • Palliative patients within 2 weeks
  • All other referrals will be prioritised and seen within 6 weeks.
Inappropriate referral:
  • The patient has been referred for implementation or maintenance of standard care including routine Doppler assessment and fitting garments for uncomplicated venous oedema
  • The patient has an ulceration to the legs
  • Referral information is incomplete
Lymphoedema further information:

Opening Hours

Monday - Friday
8am - 6pm
Last updated27 May 2020
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