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Appointments for a chronic swelling condition prevalent in cancer sufferers will be made free and the high cost of treatment garments could also be reduced, as services move from a charity into Health.
Islanders currently supported by charity Lymphoedema Jersey can only access appointments two days a week and must pay for their appointments and garments – something which has attracted criticism over the years, with sufferers calling for the Government to provide free treatment.
However, the Health Department has today confirmed that the new service provision "will offer appointments for free, five days a week", adding that the cost of garments "may reduce" as they "seek new sourcing opportunities".
Lymphoedema is a chronic condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs.
It develops when the lymphatic system – a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps fight infection and remove excess fluid – does not work properly.
There are two main types of lymphoedema:
primary lymphoedema – caused by faulty genes affecting the development of the lymphatic system; it can develop at any age, but usually occurs in early adulthood; and
secondary lymphoedema – caused by damage to the lymphatic system or problems with the movement and drainage of fluid in the lymphatic system, often due to an infection, injury, cancer treatment, inflammation of the limb or a lack of limb movement
There's no cure for lymphoedema, but it's usually possible to control the main symptoms using techniques to minimise fluid build-up and stimulate the flow of fluid through the lymphatic system.
Cancer patients who suffered from lymphoedema were previously treated at Jersey Hospice Care, while non-cancer sufferers received treatment through Lymphoedema Jersey's clinic.
However, in 2020, Jersey Hospice announced that it was suspending its lymphoedema service due to covid restrictions.
The decision attracted criticism, with the ex-treasurer of Lymphoedema Jersey telling Express that he thought covid was being used as an “excuse” for the Hospice to stop its lymphoedema service.
Pictured: Islanders who currently receive lymphoedema services from Lymphoedema Jersey can only access appointments two days a week and must pay for their appointments and garments.
Another islander with throat cancer told Express that he had been left struggling financially as a result of the decision forced him to pay for lymphoedema appointments, and called on the Government to step in to help those in need.
The Hospice's lymphoedema service was never reinstated, leaving Lymphoedema Jersey as the only service for local sufferers of the condition.
The charity currently only operates two days a week and islanders have to pay for appointments and garments, such as lymphoedema sleeves.
A former cancer sufferer called for these sleeves to be available on prescription in Jersey as they are in the UK.
"Compression garments are very costly but are one of the essential components of treatment," she explained. "If these garments were available on prescription as they are in the UK, patients in Jersey would benefit greatly."
Following the announcement of Lymphoedema Jersey's closure today, the Health Minister thanked the charity for its "dedicated efforts in delivering essential care and support to islanders".
She said that the transfer of local lymphoedema treatment to HCS is an "exciting opportunity for the service to develop".
Pictured: The Health department hopes to "better cater to the needs of islanders seeking treatment for lymphoedema" with free appointments on offer five days a week.
Deputy Karen Wilson explained: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lymphoedema Jersey for their dedicated efforts in delivering essential care and support to Islanders.
"This is an exciting opportunity for the service to develop within HCS, to support the transition of patient management from Lymphoedema Jersey, and connect with other services within the organisation to improve holistic patient care.
"I would also like to thank Lymphoedema Jersey for the donation of their equipment to support the smooth transfer of this service and I am confident that HCS will provide all the current service users with a continuation of the support they need and have received for many years from Lymphoedema Jersey.”
Lymphoedema Jersey is holding an extraordinary general meeting at St. Paul's Centre tomorrow (Wednesday 9 August) at 18:00, where members will be asked to consider the winding up of the charity.
Patient information will be securely transferred from Lymphoedema Jersey to HCS to support the transition of patient management to the new service. Existing patients with any requirements can contact the Physiotherapy Department on 442639.
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