Kendal Lymphology Centre

Updated 26 July 2022

Kendal Lymphology Centre provides specialist treatments and rehabilitation for patients across South Cumbria, Morecambe Bay. The service provides early intervention in the management of lymphoedema, consisting of lymphoedema management, advice, and information to prevent swelling, reduce progression/complications, and help patients to self-manage their condition. The service uses the four cornerstones of lymphoedema management used to reduce and control swelling:

• Compression: bandaging, compression garments and intermittent pneumatic compression devices
• Lymphatic drainage: manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and simple lymphatic drainage (SLD)
• Exercise
• Skin care

In addition, the service offers advice and support on weight management and acute or chronic infection. Both the specialist and non-specialist workforce have a key role in caring for patients with lymphoedema. The knowledge and skills of the various professionals involved in lymphoedema care have been clearly outlined by the British Lymphology Society and adherence to National Institute for Clinical and Health (NICE) guidelines.

They deliver treatment to both cancer and non-cancer patients who are living with the lifelong condition of lymphoedema through three satellite clinics. Two clinics are based in hospices in Lancaster and Ulverston and one at Furness General Hospital in Barrow-in-Furness.

They are registered to provide the regulated activity of treatment of disease, disorder or injury. There is a registered manager in place.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) have previously inspected this location before. However, it has not previously been rated.

Updated 26 July 2022

• The service provided safe care. The premises where clients were seen were safe and clean. Staff assessed and managed risk well and understood good practice with respect to safeguarding. 
• Staff developed holistic, recovery-focused care plans informed by a detailed assessment. They provided a range of treatments suitable to the needs of patients and in line with national guidance about best practice. Staff engaged in clinical audit to evaluate the quality of care they provided. 
• The teams included or had access to the full range of specialists required to meet the needs of patients in their care. The manager made sure the staff received training, supervision and appraisal. Staff worked well together as a therapy team and as a larger multidisciplinary team with relevant services outside the organisation. 
• Staff treated patients with compassion, kindness and respect, and truly understood the individual needs of patients. There was a strong person-centered culture which was incorporated into all aspects of the service.
• Feedback from people who used the service was overwhelmingly positive and we were told that staff always went the extra mile to support patients. Staff actively involved patients in all decisions about their care. Staff identified groups of people with specific needs and developed pathways and guidance to provide tailored support and helped those patients overcome barriers that were stopping them from achieving their goals. 
• The service was easy to access and staff made reasonable adjustments to enable patients to access the service in a way that met their needs and preferences.
• Staff planned and managed discharge well and had alternative pathways for people whose needs it could not meet. 
• The service was well led, and the governance processes ensured that its procedures ran smoothly. Staff felt very well supported by the manager, who they felt was very approachable and knowledgeable.
• Collaborative work between the service and its partner organisations was highly effective and focused on meeting the needs of the patients. The service was innovative and ensured it was up to date with new ways of working.
• The service had effective systems in place for gathering feedback from patients which were used to improve the service. The service gathered and used data effectively and worked with national and international organisations to improve the treatment of lymphoedema and lipedema.

Updated 26 July 2022