Coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you have any concerns regarding your lymphoedema or lipoedema then please contact the Lymphoedema Service based at Strathcarron Hospice on 01324 82622. Please leave a message with the receptionist and someone will call you back as quickly as possible.
Please note having lymphoedema or lipoedema does not make you more at risk of developing COVID-19. However, if you have other illnesses/conditions then that may make you more at risk. If you are unwell and have COVID-19 symptoms then please follow the government advice. There is further information on COVID-19 and lymphoedema in a fact sheet on the Lymphoedema Support Network website as well as helpful videos for self management. The LymEx app is also free to download from app store or google play and you may find this useful.
Remember self management is something you have been doing well on a daily basis and it is particularly important to continue at this time. Please contact the clinic if you need further advice.
Postponement of Clinic Appointments
All face to face appointments at the Lymphoedema Service are postponed. Phone consultations are available however, and we are now able to carry out video consultations. All you need is a laptop or mobile device.
Please contact 01324 826222 for more information.
All lymphoedema service home visits are also postponed. Compression garments can be reordered and posted out to you so please contact the clinic if you require new garments if they are not already on prescription.
About us
The Tissue Viability Service is a nurse led support and advisory service providing specialist advice and care to patients with, or at risk of developing wounds. This is achieved by the provision of holistic and evidence-based care by facilitating a high standard of practice throughout NHS Forth Valley.
The Service will work with all healthcare staff in all aspects of the prevention and management of acute and chronic wounds, with specific focus on those patients with complex and/or problematic wounds. This will be supported through educational programmes, policy development and implementation of national and local initiatives.
The Service also provides education for patients and their carers via leaflets and publications as well as in person when carrying out patient assessments.
Not all patients who have a wound will require specialist advice from the Tissue Viability Service.
The Service is to aid and support all healthcare professionals who are involved in the management of:
- Complex wounds – chronic non healing wounds, surgical wounds, grade 3 and above pressure ulcers/fungating wounds
- Leg Ulcers/chronic oedema
- Wounds requiring conservative sharp debridement
- Equipment needs of wound care patients
How to access the Service
The Tissue Viability Service can be accessed via patients GP, District Nurse, Practice Nurse, Podiatrist, Acute and Community Hospital Staff, Medical Staff and Care Home Trained staff.
With the patients consent then the above professionals will refer to the Tissue Viability service completing appropriate referral, to obtain specialist advice and support. Patients may be seen in the Tissue Viability Clinic, their own home (if housebound)/care home, hospital ward or their local GP practice Treatment Room. Specialist wound care/Tissue Viability advice is also given to healthcare staff via telephone and email.
NB The Tissue Viability Service does not operate a self referral service for members of the public.
Resources
- Wound Assessment Chart
- Scottish Wound Assessment & Action Guide
- Referral Criteria for SPECIALIST COMPRESSION HOSIERY CLINIC
- Exudate pathway
- GRADING AND MOISTURE TOOL
- FLOWCHART FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERGRANULATION (NOV 2017)
- INCONTINENCE ASSOCIATED DERMATITIS TREATMENT PROTOCOL
- Leg Ulcer Guidelines
- Pressure Area Care Patient Leaflet 2019
- Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment & Prevention Guideline
- Care Home Prescription Request Form
- Wound Swabbing Poster
- Flowchart for Management of Lymphorrhoea
- Wound Management Formulary
- Memphis Guidelines
- Memphis Pathway
The Team
Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Manager
- Lorraine Wright
Tissue Viability Nurses
- Irene Warnock
- Heather Macgowan
- Mhairi McKay
- Amanda Sneddon
Clerical Support
- Yvonne Johnston
- Elspeth Laird
Contact Details
Tissue Viability Service
Falkirk Community Hospital, Majors Loan,
Falkirk, FK1 5QE
Phone: 01324 673747
Email: FV-UHB.TissueViability@nhs.net or FV-UHB.tissueviabilityadmin@nhs.net