Report from a visit to the Lymphoedema clinic

Healthwatch Liverpool visited the lymphoedema clinic in Speke in September 2022 and gathered feedback from 19 patients through face-to-face conversations, telephone interviews and postal questionnaires. Overall, patients were positive about the service, particularly the staff, who were frequently described as caring, knowledgeable, supportive and approachable. Many people felt reassured by the advice they received and reported improvements in managing their condition through compression garments, exercises and ongoing support. 

Patients generally found the clinic accessible and welcoming, although some felt it was a long distance from home and expensive to reach by taxi. Most reported that the clinic had improved their understanding of lymphoedema and helped reduce symptoms such as swelling and discomfort. Satisfaction with the service was high, but patients’ experiences sometimes varied depending on which clinician they saw. Several respondents felt that some staff provided more detailed information and support than others.

The main concerns related to limited treatment options, staffing capacity and waiting times. A number of patients wanted access to treatments such as manual lymphatic drainage massage, specialist physiotherapy and more psychological support. Some also reported long waits for appointments, garments or treatment. Concerns were raised that funding restrictions limited what the service could offer and that staffing pressures affected flexibility and continuity of care. Most patients were not keen on telephone-only consultations and felt face-to-face assessments were important.

Healthwatch concluded that the clinic provides valued support and that patients generally benefit from the service. Recommendations included improving access to psychological support, establishing a patient support group, reviewing staffing levels, ensuring modern equipment is available and considering the commissioning of additional treatment options such as lymphatic drainage massage. The report also suggested exploring more clinic locations to improve access for patients living further away.