International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF)

The International Lymphoedema Framework, (ILF), developed from a project aiming at bringing together the main stakeholders involved in the management of lymphoedema in the United Kingdom in 2002. ILF rapidly spread to become an international project with an objective to support individual countries develop a long-term strategy for lymphoedema management.

The success of the UK Lymphoedema Framework in improving the management of this condition in Great Britain has led many international Lymphoedema experts to express an interest in the Framework Methodology and Spirit. This is why Christine Moffatt CBE and her team decided to set up the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF) as a charity, which was established as a UK charity in 2009

The choice of charitable status is a strong message to the lymphoedema community on the ethos and vision that govern the Framework. It is also a guarantee of the independence of the ILF in the ethical use of its resources and its capacity to actively contribute to the improvement of the management of lymphoedema worldwide and especially in developing countries:

We believe

  • Patients should always be at the heart of the Framework Projects.
  • Only a collaborative and multidisciplinary partnership between all stakeholders, recognised as experts, can lead to an improvement in the management of lymphoedema.
  • Improving the management of lymphoedema is a dynamic process requiring ongoing research and implementation into practice.
  • International collaboration is essential.

The International Lymphoedema Framework works dedicated to the following statements:

Our Vision:

We work for creating a better everyday life for people world wide living with lymphoedema and related disorders.

Our Mission:

We work in partnership with the National Lymphoedema Frameworks to improve the lives of people living with lymphoedema and related disorders.

Our Beliefs:

  • We value the knowledge and experience of people living with lymphoedema
  • Compassion
  • Care
  • We are passionate about changing the life’s of people living with lymphoedema
  • Drive / Dynamic
  • Power: We are stronger together than separate
  • Inspiration
  • Courage
  • Value-based.

Our Goals:

  • Disseminate this knowledge by implementing an international, not-for-profit publications strategy
  • Facilitate and/or contribute to better access to treatment for patients worldwide
  • Help the health care industry understand the real needs of patients and practitioners, and develop and evaluate diagnostic tools and treatments
  • Increase awareness by raising the profile of lymphoedema
  • Increase knowledge about lymphoedema by initiating and/or contributing to research programmes
  • Increase understanding of lymphoedema and its management by creating and/or contributing to the development of education programmes
  • Provide a cross cultural networking platform through an annual international event where all stakeholders will have the opportunity to contribute and influence the ILF agenda
  • Promote and document best practice with the development of an international minimum dataset
  • Promote and facilitate international collaboration
  • Promote and support initiatives whose goals are to improve the national/regional/local management of lymphoedema anywhere in the world.