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Feature LymphoedemaFurther informationRhian Davies, Grad.Dip.Phys,PgD (Adv.Prac.)Macmillan University TeacherNursing & Health CareSchool, College of Medical,Veterinary & Life Sciences,University of Glasgow0141 330 2972rhian.davies@glasgow.ac.ukSetting internationalstandardsRhian Davies, Macmillan University Teacher, writes aboutthe development of the Macmillan Lymphoedema AcademyReferences1Lymphoedema SupportNetwork website. www.lymphoedema.org(accessed 4December 2011).2Macmillan Cancer Support.Specialist lymphoedemaservices: An evidencereview. 2011.3Lam R, Wallace A, BurbidgeB, Franks PJ. and Moffatt CJ. Experiences of patientswith lymphoedema. Journalof Lymphoedema. 2006.1(1):16–21.4Davies R. An Investigationof the Education Needs ofHealth Care Professionalsin Scotland in relation toLymphoedema Care. 2012.Available at nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/nursingand-midwifery/resources/publications/lymphoedemaexecutive-summary-andlearning-needs-analysis.aspx5Sneddon M, Pearson J andFranks P. Lymphoedema:Service Provision andNeeds in Scotland. 2008.University of Glasgow andMacmillan Cancer Support.Lymphoedema affects around100,000 people in the UK. [1]It is a swelling in an arm, leg orother body part because of a buildup of fluid in the body's tissues. It canoccur as a result of cancer treatmentor because of cancer itself.While the availability of services hasimproved in the last 20 years, peoplewith cancer have told Macmillan thataccess to help and support remainsvaried. [2] Services for those affectedby non-cancer related lymphoedemaare even more patchy. [3,4,5] Mostpeople at risk of, or affected bylymphoedema, could be helped torecognise signs and symptoms and toself-manage. However, once peoplehave lymphoedema, they are likelyto require specialist support at somepoint in their care pathway.Education projectBetween 2006 and 2009, Macmillanspent around £1.7 million onlymphoedema initiatives for bothcancer and non-cancer relatedlymphoedema. [2] One such initiativewas the Macmillan LymphoedemaEducation Project (MLEP), which startedin 2003. The Peacock Charitable Trustfunded the project with Macmillan'ssupport. The overall aim was todevelop teachers in lymphoedemamanagement, with a focus onmanual lymphatic drainage (MLD) –a specialised, gentle type of massage.MLD training had been difficult toaccess as there were very few teachersbased in the UK. It was anticipated thatby increasing the number of trainingopportunities for NHS and hospicestaff, it would be possible to increasethe number of lymphoedema-trainedhealthcare professionals in the UK.The three-year project was ledby Dr Jacquelyne Todd, ConsultantPhysiotherapist (Lymphoedema), whowas trained by Drs John and JudithCasley-Smith to teach the Modernmanagement of lymphoedema course.She was assisted by Catherine Groom,MLD Therapist and teacher of theCasley-Smith technique. The techniqueis an approach to decongestivelymphatic therapy, which involvesspecialised massage, compression,exercise and skin care.Ten healthcare professionalsincluding nurses, physiotherapists andan occupational therapist, took partin the teacher training programme,during which the curriculum wasstandardised and teaching materialswere developed. After completingthe programme in 2006, theseprofessionals developed the MacmillanLymphoedema Academy (MLA),which offers registered healthcareprofessionals accredited and nonaccreditedcourses across the UK.The group also peer reviews teachersto maintain standards.Over 500 professionals havesuccessfully completed one of themany courses offered. There is the16 Mac Voice Autumn 2012