Lymphoedema Support Network Workshop with Karen Friett & Karen Cooper

Karen Friett – Chief Executive, Lymphoedema Support Network

Karen trained as a Registered General Nurse at Guys Hospital in the late 1980’s before specialising in gerontology, oncology and palliative care. She worked at Guys Hospital until moving to a new Hospice in Kent in the 1990’s. After progressing to a senior management position she left the Hospice in 2006 to join the LSN as their development manager and ultimately Chief Executive. Karen believes that lymphoedema and those who live with it matter and deserve better from researchers, health care providers and society generally.

She is married to Paul and has two adult sons, a small dog and a tortoise! Outside of work she enjoys singing and playing whatever instruments she can lay her hands on.

Qualifications RGN, Diploma gerontology, BSc hons professional practice of nursing, PGCE, MBA

Karen Cooper – Trustee, The British Lymphology Society

Karen has been working in private healthcare for over 30 years. She has her own busy private Lymphoedema clinic in Malvern, Worcestershire. Her lymphoedema training began at the Dr Vodder school in Austria in 1999. She was then approached by the NHS to treat complex lymphoedema patients in palliative care.

At that time, she became an editor for MLDUK for a short period of time.

In the past 8 years, she has trained in the FGMLD technique and is a trainer at the LTA, assisting in formulating and delivering training courses such as Scar Therapy for Lymphoedmea, Foundation level MLD, and Post-surgical MLD.

She is a clinical advisor for Haddenham Healthcare and assists with clinical trials on products and medical devices.

She has worked alongside surgeons to understand the impact of surgery on the body, in particular on the lymphatic system.

She has a passion for helping people with lymphatic and connective tissue disorders, as well as modern-day complex issues such as obesity related issues.

As a Trustee for the BLS, Karen hopes to continue to bridge the gap and build relationships between a struggling NHS and the private sector.

Lower limb lymphoedema, the role of the podiatrist.

Lymphoedema affects over 400,000 individuals in the UK and yet few health care professionals are confident in how to identify, manage and refer those clients they see that are living with it.

This session, presented jointly by the patient organisation, the Lymphoedema Support Network and the healthcare professional organisation, the British Lymphology Society, will share what lymphoedema is, what causes it, how to recognise it, your role as a podiatrist in managing the swollen foot and, perhaps most importantly, equip you with practical self management information to share with your clients.