24th September 2022
With the lifting of restrictions following the pandemic, the first ‘in-person’ National Lymphoedema Framework Ireland, (NLFI) event took place in the friendly and elegant Cork International Hotel on Saturday, 24th September 2022.
The opportunity to hold the event in collaboration with the Dr Vodder School Ireland came about when an NLFI invite to the International Lymphoedema Framework, (ILF), Chair Professor Christine Moffatt to meet with NLFI, corresponded with the visit of Professor Peter Mortimer to The Lymph Clinic in Cork. Professor Moffatt and Professor Mortimer both agreed to present on the topic of Chronic Oedema, and thus, the foundation of an exciting education day was set.
NLFI board member and director of the Dr Vodder School Ireland, Meadbh Mac Sweeney shared a presentation she had given in Assisi this year at the Italian Lymphoedema Framework conference on behalf of the NLFI and we also had the good fortune that Ms Kay Morris, HSE Project Lead in Lymphoedema/Lipoedema, was available to present on the day.
Presentations are available for viewing on our website under www.nlfireland.ie
The format of the day was as follows:
Guest Speaker: Professor Christine Moffatt
Current ILF lymphoedema and chronic oedema
research and findings
10:15 – 10:25 Q&A
10:30 – 11:15 Guest Speaker: Professor Mortimer
Influences in the development of Lymphoedema
11:15 – 11:30 Q&A
11:30 – 11.45 Meadbh Mac Sweeney
Phlebo-Lymphoedema: The Elephant in the Dark
11:45 – 12:00 Kay Morris
Lymphoedema & Lipoedema HSE Model of Care Update
12:00 – 16:30 Light lunch & Meet the suppliers
The ethos of the day was to share experience and learning. This brought together the expert presenting panel and approximately 70 healthcare professionals attended (HCP’s) involved in treating individuals with chronic oedema/ lymphoedema. The make-up of the HCPs included medics, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, MLD therapists and occupational therapists, all in their own way constantly trying to solution-find for their patients/clients.
The day was further strengthened by the presence of various representatives from industry (NLFI stakeholders), each hosting an information table, which included a display of a considerable range of their products. Providers of compression bandaging, compression garment options and other therapeutic technologies were on hand to explain the details and benefits of each of their products, facilitating participants the opportunity to experience products first hand.
There was also representation from Lymphoedema Ireland, the patient advocate group, which hosted a very busy stand giving information on their essential role in supporting individuals with lymphoedema and related conditions.
There was a great energy throughout the day with lots of exchange between the participants. The formal feedback was very positive with a majority desire to host a similar event in the future. ( Keep the date Sept 30th 2023!)
As an ILF framework, the NLFI were delighted with the opportunity to host Professor Christine Moffatt in person on behalf of the NLFI. Included in her presentation, Professor Moffatt highlighted some of the valuable ILF projects the NLFI were privileged to participate in and contribute to:
Participation in LIMPRINT research 2016. Subsequent publications in Journal of Lymphatic Biology and Research
- Estimation of the Prevalence of Lymphoedema/Chronic Oedema in Acute Hospital in In-Patients
- A Study to Explore the Perceptions and Barriers of Self-Management in Children and Adolescents with Lymphoedema
LIMPRINT articles involving NLFI published in Journal of Lymphatic Biology and Research 2019: Lymphatic Research and Biology | Vol 17, No 2 (liebertpub.com) - A Snapshot of Lymphedema in Ireland: Results from LIMPRINT
Published Online:15 Oct 2021
Lymphatic Research and Biology | Vol 19, No 5 (liebertpub.com)
Participation in International Children’s Camp in Italy 2017 and subsequent publication
“I Cry. I Simply Cry.” An Ethnography of a Lymphedema Summer Camp
Published Online: 15 Oct 2021
Lymphatic Research and Biology | Vol 19, No 5 (liebertpub.com)
Framework participation in ILF- COM research study 2018
