15th June 2022: Press Release

Press Release... Edinburgh, 15th June 2022

Talk Lipoedema awarded £80,000 by Scottish Govt. and launches new website to help with recognition and diagnosis of misunderstood condition.

Talk Lipoedema, the leading Scottish charity for action on lipoedema has launched a new website that aims to assist both individuals and health and social care professionals with the identification and diagnosis of lipoedema, an often-misunderstood condition.

The charity's website,Home now has a comprehensive section to allow people with lipoedema to access information on how to live well with the condition and to assist them to self-diagnose. In addition, and a first for the condition in Scotland, the site features a comprehensive section for health and social care professionals which aims to help build a greater understanding of the condition, ensuring timely diagnosis and referral to appropriate services.

The new site is among a number of initiatives that have been made possible with a £80,000 grant awarded by the Scottish Government.

Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:

“We are delighted to have provided £80,000 funding to Talk Lipoedema to support their important work supporting people with lipoedema across Scotland. The charity has worked hard to establish and develop Talk Lipoedema and are passionate about helping people living with the condition. We know that living with Lipoedema can often be challenging, and work is needed to help people access the information and care they need to enjoy a better quality of life. That is why we are also working with Talk Lipoedema to better understand how services are currently delivered in Scotland and to identify opportunities to develop more sustainable care options for people with this condition.”

Isobel MacEwan, chair at Talk Lipoedema commented,

"In addition to the new website, the funding grant has allowed us to improve awareness and understanding about lipoedema by strengthening links with health care professionals. By engaging with community nurses, GPs, lymphoedema practitioners, we know we can make a massive difference to this often missed and misdiagnosed condition."

Lipoedema is a poorly recognised condition usually developing in women around puberty or early adult years. Due to fat and connective tissue inflammation, the legs, buttocks and abdomen enlarge, leading to disproportionate body shape, pain and a risk of increasing disability. In most women, the condition is mistaken for obesity or lymphoedema.

Another of the charity's projects features real stories from people living with lipoedema and their health care professional journey. It aims to further highlight the current issues around getting a correct diagnosis and the challenges of living with the condition.

ENDS

For further information please contact: Isobel MacEwan (Chair)

isobelmacewan@talklipoedema.org

Read more about Lipoedema Care in Scotland here Scoping Report on Lipoedema Care in Scotland