Calls for better access to treatment for women suffering from Lipoedema

Around one in ten women have the condition, which causes a painful build up of fat, usually around the legs

Isobel Harris
Published 17th Jun 2019

Campaigners are calling for treatment to a debilitating condition to be more widely available.

Lipoedema is an abnormal build up of fat, most commonly found in women's legs. It leaves many sufferers in constant discomfort and affects their mobility.

It has no cure and can only be treated through surgery.

It's available on the NHS but many women diagnosed with the condition are going untreated, with only one doctor able to carry out the operation in Scotland.

Isobel Harris from Dundee used to walk seven miles every night after work but now she struggles to even get out of her home.

Isobel Harris

"It's difficult to walk to my car from the front door. I can't do things with my grandchildren that I'd like to do, everywhere I go I've got to consider if they'll be stairs there."

She's one of the 10% of woman who have the condition.

Despite her diagnosis she's been knocked back twice when looking for treatment.

Labour shadow health secretary Monica Lennon is joining calls for more to be done to support woman like Isobel.

"We need to have more surgeons who are available to do this treatment," she said.

"I think it's about having the right capacity in hospitals. At the moment it's unrealistic to expect that to happen in every health board area but it's not acceptable to have only one surgeon."