The NHS in Wales has introduced a further eight of the revolutionary PhysioTouch systems to its treatment options in a move to improve care provided to patients suffering from lymphoedema.
Every lymphoma service provided within the NHS in Wales now has the system, which can notably improve symptoms of sufferers and yield fantastic results.
Melanie Thomas, national clinical lead for Lymphoedema in Wales, said: “Lymphoedema Network Wales is delighted to announce through Welsh Government capital funding that every health board lymphoedema service in Wales now has access to the PhysioTouch machine. This will support innovation in lymphoedema management."
Affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the UK alone, lymphoedema is a condition that, in both its primary and secondary forms, leaves sufferers with excess fluid in their bodies, with painful, debilitating and on-going consequences.
Awareness of lymphoedema is low, not only in this country, but across the globe. This lack of awareness can leave sufferers feeling isolated, alone and most of all, misunderstood.
Andy Thomas, director of Physiquipe, said: "We're delighted to be working with the NHS in Wales to deliver the gold standard of care for patients.
“The implementation of these systems will go a long way in helping to bridge the resource gap for nurses and therapists in lymphoedema, showing that awareness of this condition is now starting to be matched by investment. This is a great first step, but there is still a long way to go."
Patients needing lymph therapy and treated with the PhysioTouch device have seen a greater reduction in the volume of lymphatic fluid removal compared to standard manual lymphatic drainage techniques.
The device provides an extra dimension that manual massage cannot achieve with its negative-pressure approach. The therapist also benefits in that there is almost no repetitive strain on the hands and fingers, which often develops over time from the use of manual techniques.
