At a recent meeting of the Reading Health and Wellbeing Board we learned that expanded local treatment of lymphoedema was being considered.
Lymphoedema is a painful and progressive condition in which the limbs (often the legs) become swollen after the body's lymphatic system is compromised. This condition is sometimes a consequence of treatment for cancer.
Up to now only those patients whose conditions are associated with cancer have been offered treatment locally. Such treatment is offered at the Duchess of Kent Hospice in Liebenrood Road.. Some of the other sufferers have been referred further afield.
After a sustained campaign led by Reading resident Sue Bicknell, it was announced at the Reading Health and Wellbeing Board on 30th January that the Berkshire West CCGs will look at the possibility of expanding treatment capacity locally so that treatment can be offered locally to non-cancer lymphoedema sufferers as well. We hope to report details in due course.