Menu
20/03/2003
Review into lymphoedema services set up
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell has announced the first ever working group to review lymphoedema services in Northern Ireland.
The working group has been established to make recommendations to improve the future provision of services.
Dr Angela Garvey, a Consultant in Palliative Care Medicine at Altnagelvin Hospital, said: “This is a most important review and offers hope of better services to people with lymphoedema. Not many people know what lymphoedema is and do not understand the depth of pain, discomfort and embarrassment caused by a severely swollen arm, leg, neck or face."
Lymphoedema can be caused by a congenital absence or abnormality in lymphatic tissue but it more commonly arises after cancer surgery or radiotherapy where the lymphatic system has been infected or obstructed.
Dr Garvey added: “I am pleased to be leading this review which comprises members from all the relevant health professions. Moreover, I am delighted that some people with lymphoedema have agreed to be members because their first hand experience will give us a clearer insight into how we need to develop lymphoedema services.”
One of the members, Mrs Olive McCann, Secretary of the Northern Ireland Lymphoedema Support Network, expressed hope that the outcome of the review would heighten awareness of lymphoedema amongst health professionals.
“Lymphoedema is a chronic condition for which there is no cure, but with the correct on-going treatment by a fully certified therapist and with the full co-operation of the patient, it can most certainly be kept under control,” she said.
Dr Garvey indicated that she would welcome views from patients, carers, health professionals or the public on how to take this work forward. Anyone wishing to do so is requested to send their comments by 30 May 2003 to the Department of Health and Social Services, Hospital Services Development Unit, Room 6, Annexe 1, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SQ or by email to rosemary scott
The Review group is expected to make recommendations on the future development of lymphoedema services to the Department by Autumn 2003.
(GMcG)
The working group has been established to make recommendations to improve the future provision of services.
Dr Angela Garvey, a Consultant in Palliative Care Medicine at Altnagelvin Hospital, said: “This is a most important review and offers hope of better services to people with lymphoedema. Not many people know what lymphoedema is and do not understand the depth of pain, discomfort and embarrassment caused by a severely swollen arm, leg, neck or face."
Lymphoedema can be caused by a congenital absence or abnormality in lymphatic tissue but it more commonly arises after cancer surgery or radiotherapy where the lymphatic system has been infected or obstructed.
Dr Garvey added: “I am pleased to be leading this review which comprises members from all the relevant health professions. Moreover, I am delighted that some people with lymphoedema have agreed to be members because their first hand experience will give us a clearer insight into how we need to develop lymphoedema services.”
One of the members, Mrs Olive McCann, Secretary of the Northern Ireland Lymphoedema Support Network, expressed hope that the outcome of the review would heighten awareness of lymphoedema amongst health professionals.
“Lymphoedema is a chronic condition for which there is no cure, but with the correct on-going treatment by a fully certified therapist and with the full co-operation of the patient, it can most certainly be kept under control,” she said.
Dr Garvey indicated that she would welcome views from patients, carers, health professionals or the public on how to take this work forward. Anyone wishing to do so is requested to send their comments by 30 May 2003 to the Department of Health and Social Services, Hospital Services Development Unit, Room 6, Annexe 1, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SQ or by email to rosemary scott
The Review group is expected to make recommendations on the future development of lymphoedema services to the Department by Autumn 2003.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
SF Calls For Action On NI Mental Health Services
Sinn Féin has called for more to be done to improve mental health services across the north of Ireland. The party's mental health spokesperson, MLA Órlaithí Flynn, made the call after the release of the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report which has highlighted an increase in deaths by suicide in 2023.
23 November 2006
Minister welcomes Bain report on legal services
The Finance Minister, David Hanson, has today promised that the government will consider carefully the recommendations of a report into the regulation of legal services in Northern Ireland. The report by the Legal Services Review Group, ‘Legal Services in Northern Ireland: Complaints, Regulation, Competition’ was published today.
Minister welcomes Bain report on legal services
The Finance Minister, David Hanson, has today promised that the government will consider carefully the recommendations of a report into the regulation of legal services in Northern Ireland. The report by the Legal Services Review Group, ‘Legal Services in Northern Ireland: Complaints, Regulation, Competition’ was published today.
08 March 2005
Lymphoedema services consultation launched
The Department of Health has recommended the establishment of a specialist network of lymphoedema services across Northern Ireland. The recommendation comes as the Department issued a consultation report outlining recommendations for the future development of lymphoedema services in the province.
Lymphoedema services consultation launched
The Department of Health has recommended the establishment of a specialist network of lymphoedema services across Northern Ireland. The recommendation comes as the Department issued a consultation report outlining recommendations for the future development of lymphoedema services in the province.
19 May 2003
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.
20 June 2001
ACUTE HOSPITALS REVIEW GROUP SUBMITS REPORT
THE long awaited report from the Acute Hospitals Review Group, published this week, has proposed a radical shake up to Northern Ireland’s existing emergency hospital structures. The report, compiled by Dr Maurice Hayes, recommends a number of radical changes and sets out a vision of where the health service might be in 15 or 20 years time.
ACUTE HOSPITALS REVIEW GROUP SUBMITS REPORT
THE long awaited report from the Acute Hospitals Review Group, published this week, has proposed a radical shake up to Northern Ireland’s existing emergency hospital structures. The report, compiled by Dr Maurice Hayes, recommends a number of radical changes and sets out a vision of where the health service might be in 15 or 20 years time.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
