Tissue Viability and Lymphoedema Service
Category: Integrated Care and Acute Medicine
DescriptionLymphoedema Service
Treats patients with Lymphoedema/chronic oedema of any body part
Advice and support for healthcare professionals on management of patients with Primary, Secondary Lymphoedema and Chronic Oedema.
Advice on management of leaking legs (lymphorrhea).
Raises awareness of cellulitis and treatment modalities
Reduce and prevent secondary care admissions by early intervention and management of cellulitis
Tissue Viability Service
For patients who live in or have a GP in Islington, Haringey and Camden.
For patients admitted to Whittington Hospital
The Tissue Viability Service (TVS) and Lymphoedema and Chronic Oedema Service are staffed by a team of specialist nurses working across Whittington Health. TVS also provides a service in Camden.
The community tissue viability and lymphodema service is for adults 18+. Secondary care tissue viability is all ages.
Specialist advice and support to healthcare professionals on management of patients with, or who are 'at risk' of developing chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers.
Advise patients with leg ulcers and other difficult-to-heal wounds.
Advise on appropriate use of advanced wound care technologies.
Reduce and prevent secondary care admissions by early intervention and infection management.
AppointmentsMonday to Friday 9am to 5pm (except Bank Holidays)
Treatment in the community
A preliminary assessment and standard care should be have been completed and implemented for four weeks prior to referral and found to be not effective.
General phone advice may be provided or for more specific advice a joint visit or clinic appointment can be arranged.
Pressure ulcers grade 3 & 4 will be seen within three working days
All other referrals will be prioritised and seen within six weeks.
Secondary care at Whittington Hospital
All patients need to be assessed using appropriate documentation prior to referral. And will be seen within 72 hours of referral and prioritised according to clinical need.
All grade 3 and 4 pressure ulcers will be seen within 48 hours.
Lymphoedema/Chronic Oedema Service
For patients who live in or have a GP in Islington and Haringey
District nursing teams
GPs and practice nurses
Nursing home staff
Secondary care medical and nursing staff
Social workers
Podiatrists
Palliative and leaking leg patients are seen within 2 weeks.
All other referrals will be prioritised and seen within 6 weeks.
Appropriate referrals
Patients with a swelling of any body part for longer than three months.
Patients referred as soon as possible if swelling is due to cancer or its treatment or if patient is palliative.
Patients with leaking legs (lymphorrhea)
Patients with chronic oedema if underlying condition is stable.
Referrals for TVS
District nursing teams
St Pancras Hospital medical and nursing staff
GPs and practice nurses
Nursing home staff
Islington and Camden Social care Trust ( Mental Health )
Secondary care medical and nursing staff.
Allied Health Care Professional.
Adult social care services
Inappropriate referrals
Patient does not meet geographical criteria.
Patient is accessing another lymphoedema service and does not agree to transfer of service
