Patients, Families & Friends
Chronic Oedema
This service is provided by a team of therapists, mostly nurses by background, who have received specialist training. The service is mainly delivered in our outpatient centre in Torquay, although we can also provide care in your home or in the inpatient unit when this is more appropriate.
The majority of the treatment for chronic oedema is ‘self care’. Although there is no cure, with the right treatment the symptoms can be improved and the benefits maintained long term.
Treatment involves a combination of skin care, exercises and lifestyle advice, which may include weight reduction. The majority of people with chronic oedema will also need to wear a compression garment daily.
Referrals to this service can be made by your hospital consultant, specialist nurse, GP, district nurse and other health and social care professionals.
On receipt of the referral we arrange to provide either the advice or treatment depending on need. Once that treatment period is complete we will discharge you back to the GP and community staff.
To share ideas or give your views about Rowcroft's chronic oedema service please feel free to contact the Chronic Oedema User Group via their facebook page. We also have a patient and family questionnaire which you may prefer to use and is accessed here.