Ramsay Newsroom

The prestigious title was granted by the Lymphatic Education & Research Network after a rigorous vetting process by some of the world’s leading lymphatic medicine specialists.

Rehabilitation consultant, Dr Helen Mackie,who helped create the Lymphoedema Clinic at Mt Wilga Private Hospital in 1992, said the announcementrecognised the hospital as a world-leader in non-surgical treatments for lymphoedema.

She said the hospital had worked with patients suffering the most severe and complex cases of lymphoedema for more than 30 years.

“We are the only service in Australia to be awarded this level of accreditation for this specialty,” she said.

“Our treatment program is based on world’s best practice and provides a much-needed service to people across NSW and interstate suffering from lymphoedema.”

Lymphoedema isa chronic and progressive condition that occurs when when a build-up of lymph fluid in the body’s soft tissues causes swelling. Around one person in every 6000 will develop Primary Lymphoedema, while approximately 20 per cent of patients treated for breast, melanoma, gynaecological or prostate cancers will develop secondary lymphoedema1.

“Apart from severe and complex cases, our therapists also monitor people at risk of developing the condition, such as breast cancer patients,” said Dr Mackie.

She said Mt Wilga Private Hospital treats around 200 lymphoedemapatientsa year, with 60-100new patients referred each year.

Catherine Ireland, 73, has been a patient at the Mt Wilga Lymphoedema Clinic for more than ten years. She said the treatment had given her back in independence and prevented her condition from getting worse.

“I developed lymphoedema in both arms after treatment for breast cancerand initially wore compression garments on both arms and hands. It made it almost impossible to do day-to-day tasks like cleaning the house and I stopped the things I love – likedancing.

“Working with the doctors and therapists at Mt Wilga,I no longer need to wear a garment on my left arm and hand and my right arm is almost back to normalI am hopeful that within the next six months I will only have to wear a compression gauntlet on my right hand and a compression garment on my right forearm,” Mrs Ireland said.

“The care and support provided by the staff at the clinic has been wonderful and even in between visits, if I have any concerns, I know that help is just a phone call away.”

Mt Wilga Private Hospital CEO Lorrie Mohsen said the title was an honour for all doctors, lymphoedema therapists and staff associated with the Lymphoedema Clinic.

“Our staff have worked extremely hard to establish this service, which is one of a kind in Australia,” she said.

“It’s incredibly humbling to see all of our hard work rewarded with such a prestigious recognition.”