The collaborative WA Country Health Service (WACHS) and Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) TeleLymphoedema service has expanded to Kalgoorlie Health Campus to further support local treatment for breast cancer-related lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is a common and lifelong side effect of some cancer treatments causing swelling and pain in the limbs, requiring ongoing management.
Expansion of the trial service to Kalgoorlie Health Campus will enable Goldfields locals to receive local lymphoedema support from a WACHS physiotherapist or occupational therapist, with a FSH specialist providing supervision and education via telehealth.
The TeleLymphoedema service launched as a pilot in 2019 at Katanning and Esperance health campuses, and has been successful in reducing patients’ need to travel for care.
Results of the new Kalgoorlie Health Campus service will be used to inform expansion to other WA Country Health Service hospitals.
Source: Western Australia