The power of networking
A Visit from the Swedish Lymphoedema Team – December 2024
In December 2024, we were thrilled to welcome a delegation from Sweden’s expert lymphoedema team to London and Accelerate. The visiting team included Pia Klernäs (Physiotherapist, Lymphoedema Therapist), Dr Marjukka Leino (Physiotherapist, Lymphoedema Therapist), Pia Zargarian (Occupational Therapist, Lymphoedema Therapist), and Silke Wehmhörner (Physiotherapist, Lymphoedema Therapist).
This exciting exchange stemmed from connections made earlier in the year at a remarkable international conference focused on compression and lymphatic care.
Comprehending Comprehensive Compression: A Global Exchange of Ideas
In mid-2024, I had the privilege of attending the Comprehending Comprehensive Compression (CCC) conference in Beyruth, Germany. Hosted by the venous-lymphatics World International Network (v-WIN) Foundation and Medi, the event was chaired by the brilliant Prof. Dr. Sergio Gianesini (MD, PhD, FACS C.C.C).
The CCC conference brought together world-leading experts in the field of venous and lymphatic disease to share cutting-edge knowledge, clinical expertise, and foster global collaboration. Held at the Medi headquarters, the event also allowed participants to meet the people behind the manufacturing and marketing of compression garments — a truly eye-opening experience.
Serendipity at the Medi Factory: Meeting Pia
During a fascinating tour of the Medi factory — witnessing firsthand the intricate technology, scale, and precision that goes into producing both ready-made and made-to-measure garments — I met Pia, a physiotherapist from Sweden. Our shared interest in lymphoedema care sparked a friendship that soon led to an exciting collaboration.
Pia shared more about her clinic in Stockholm:
“We have a clinic where we receive patients for the diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema. We treat patients from all over Sweden, of all ages, especially those with advanced conditions that cannot be managed in primary care.
Patients see a doctor and a lymphatic therapist, and over a two-week treatment period (usually 10 sessions), they also have access to a physiotherapist, dietician, counsellor, and occupational therapist.
Treatments include bandaging, physical therapy, intermittent pneumatic compression, manual therapies, and prescription of new compression garments.”
Sharing Practice: The Swedish Team’s Visit to Accelerate
Their visit to Accelerate was packed with collaborative learning and insight. On the first day, the Swedish team joined our Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting. We shared patient cases and care plans and introduced them to how we structure our MDT work.
They observed clinics and shadowed team members, exchanging views on patient management. They visited our biomechanics clinic, where they engaged with pressure mat technology — a valuable tool in mobility and posture assessments. They also spent time in our wound care clinics, speaking with patients and observing how mobility and chronic wound management interlink with lymphoedema care.
Leadership Perspectives and a Broader View
On the second day, we organized meetings with Alison Hopkins (CEO) and Caitriona O’Neill (Director of Clinical Services). They provided an overview of the wider healthcare provision landscape in the UK and shared their personal experiences as nurses. The discussions touched on service challenges, innovations, and the evolution of patient care pathways.
Looking Ahead: Collaboration and Connection
The visit was a great success. We forged strong professional and personal bonds with the Swedish team. Our hope is to visit them in 2025 and explore collaborative opportunities — from knowledge-sharing to potential research or innovation projects.
This experience reinforces the value of international networking — the exchange of ideas and shared passion for improving patient outcomes knows no borders. Watch this space for exciting developments in 2025!
