§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the treatment of lymphoedema sufferers in(a) England and (b) Gloucestershire. [129028]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 11 September 2003]: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued guidance on the use of drugs for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic myeloid leukaemia, but not on non-cancer related lymphoedema.
NICE has recently updated the "Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer Guidance", and that guidance made some recommendations about lymphoedema. These include that cancer networks should agree guidelines for identification and management of lymphoedema and that a lymphoedema service, staffed by nurses and physiotherapists who have experience in dealing with this problem, should be available for all patients who experience arm swelling or discomfort.
622WIn Gloucestershire, lymphoedema patients can access support from their general practitioner practice and community nursing staff. Lymphoedema patients with cancer can also access support from a practice-based dedicated specialist nurse.