Our Lymphoedema service cares for people with sudden or long-lasting swelling.
About this service
We provide education and screening for those at risk of lymphoedema, as well as assessment, management and education for people with lymphoedema or chronic oedema.
We also provide a Lymphoedema Physiotherapy Service at Canberra Hospital for inpatients at Canberra Hospital and patients on active treatment attending the Canberra Region Cancer Centre.
Who we care for
We care for people living with lymphoedema or people at risk of lymphoedema as a result of cancer treatment.
How to access this service
Your general practitioner (GP), medical specialist, allied health worker, nurse practitioner or registered nurse can refer you to our service.
Appointments are free if you hold a current Medicare card.
There is a cost for compression garments and other items. Funding is available for some ACT and NSW residents. We can talk with you about whether you qualify.
What to expect
Your lymphatic system is a major part of your body’s immune system. It is a network of vessels, organs and nodes that move lymph fluid from your tissues into your blood stream. It helps you to fight off infection.
Lymphoedema is swelling that occurs when lymph fluid builds up in the tissue of one or more areas of your body and does not go away. This happens because your lymphatic system is not working as it should. Lymphoedema normally occurs in an arm or leg but can affect other parts of your body.
Working with your lymphoedema therapist you can develop a management plan that may include:
- measuring and fitting you with compression garments. These may range from:
- prescription of sleeves or stockings to help minimise your risk of lymphoedema.
- custom made compression garments for people who have developed swelling.
- looking after your skin to help reduce bacterial or fungal infections.
- application of compression bandages.
- using compression pumps (intermittent pneumatic compression). Compression pumps have an inflatable arm or leg sleeve with multiple chambers that inflate one after the other to stimulate lymphatic flow in the right direction.
Education session for people at risk of developing lymphoedema
We hold a lymphoedema education session on the first Thursday of every month (except January) at North Canberra Hospital. For more information or to make a booking, contact the Physiotherapy Department on:
Phone: (02) 6201 6190
Email: CHSNCH.Physio@act.gov.au
What to bring to your appointment
- Medicare card
- Any letters or correspondence from your GP
- Medicines you need to take while you are here
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have brought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
- Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
Where we’re located
We are based at North Canberra Hospital (formerly Calvary Public Hospital Bruce).
We have directions to North Canberra Hospital.
We also offer services from:
- Belconnen Community Health Centre
- Tuggeranong Community Health Centre
- Gungahlin Community Health Centre
Information for referrers
Please see Community HealthPathways for detailed referral criteria and information
