Lipoedema UK’s Conference 2015

Hope on the Horizon

Video of conference highlights:

Patients and Allied Healthcare Professionals mingled at Lipoedema UK’s 2015 Conference at the Hilton in Reading to hear research updates, treatment advice and the welcome news that the International Symposium on Lipoedema, held in New York in April, had stimulated new research and interest in finding a cure for lipoedema.

Chair Sharie Fetzer outlined the huge strides Lipoedema UK has made in the last 12 months in raising awareness of lipoedema within the medical community, and in supporting patients. She also announced its ‘Raise 75 to end 75’ fundraising campaign to end the 75 years that lipoedema has been ignored by so many in the medical community.

Catherine Seo presented the results of the Think Tank session from the International Symposium via a live video link, highlighting the practical steps the medical community had taken since the symposium to tackle the issues identified.

Dr Kristiana Gordon and Professor Peter Mortimer updated everyone on the genetic research programme in progress at St Georges Hospital Trust in Tooting where they are hoping to find the gene(s) that cause lipoedema. GP Dr Sarah Pledger, a women’s healthcare expert, explained how patients can get the best from their GP. And Mr Alex Munnoch, a surgeon from Ninewells Hospital, joined the other medical experts in a panel in answering Lipoedema UK’s member’s medical questions. Denise Hardy, Lipoedema UK’s Nurse Consultant, presented a ‘Friend or Foe’ session on Compression, which included a short presentation on the various options offered by the exhibitors including Haddenham Healthcare, Sigvaris, BSN, H&R Healthcare, MediUK, Juzo and Credenhill.

Edely Wallace explained how lymphatic yoga can stimulate the lymphatics and invited patients to sign up for a 30 day trial to provide clinical evidence on the effectiveness of lymphatic yoga on managing lipoedema. Around 15 members donned their swimsuits and tried out Aquarobics with Glenda Baum in the hotel swimming pool. Members also had the chance to participate in a survey on compression garments and a MSc research study  ‘The impact of lipoedema on occupational performance’ by Ellen Kirby, an Occupational Therapist.

The following day, 40 patients attended the Patient Workshop held at Circle Hospital, Reading and many benefited from the individual compression sessions offered by Denise Hardy, Chris Wise, Rachel Warth and Andresa Pires. Many ladies tried out lymphatic yoga with Edely Wallace, whilst Suzanne Evans led a practical session on knees exercises.

The workshop also included the chance to try out various treatments including a Lympha Press, a Physiotouch machine, Hivamat and Physiopod sessions. Catherine Seo’s film ‘It’s Not My Fault’ was shown at both the Conference and Workshop.

 

British Journal of Community Nursing/Lipoedema UK

Conference –  March 2016

 

Report by Jones, Kris. April 2016: Launch of National Strategy and Pathway of Care for Lipoedema at British Journal of Community Nursing /Lipoedema UK Conference – March 3rd 2016

British Lymphology Society (BLS) Conference 2015

Every year the BLS conference gets bigger and better…this year’s three-day event was held at the The National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, West Midlands in October, 2015. It was attended by Lymphoedema Nurses and Allied Healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of lipoedema.

An enjoyable time was had by attendees to the British Lymphology Conference in October, 2015.

An enjoyable time was had by attendees to the British Lymphology Conference in October, 2015.

The conference focused solely on lymphoedema, lymphatic disorders and related conditions. With over 30 exhibitors and 350 delegates, plus internationally renowned speakers, it provided a unique forum for all those involved in the day-to-day management of lymphoedema. Invited speakers included Professor Marlys Witte, Professor Peter Mortimer and Dr Kristiana Gordon (genetics), James Carroll (Light Therapy), Professor Jean-Paul Belgrado (Lymphofluoroscopy) and Mr. Alex Munnoch (liposuction and compression for lipoedema and lymphoedema). Lord Hunt of King’s Heath, who has recently tabled a question in the House of Lords on Lymphoedema services in England also attended.