Contact Details
Denise is now retired
Denise Hardy
RGN, BSc (Hons)
Palliative Care, Lymphoedema Nurse Consultant
Clinical Interests:
With a background in palliative care, lymphoedema has been a focal point in
my nursing career for the last 33 years.
Having set up numerous clinics within the NHS, I have laterly established Kendal Lymphology Centre (KLC) ? an independent clinic, providing NHS care for 2 Health authorities. We have seen over 4000 patients since it opened in 2005 and see patients suffering from all types of lymphoedema, lipoedema and children if necessary.
Professional Profile:
Receiving numerous awards over the years, the Chronic Oedema Nurse ofthe year award in 2019 was very special ? as was the rating of ?outstanding? following the recent Care Quality Commission inspection.
I have also written work for publication ? the latest in conjunction with the Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN) entitled ?Your Lymphoedema ? taking back control?. Providing training and education is also important to me locally, nationally and internationally ? Kenya particularly, educating Health Care Professionals to manage breast cancer related lymphoedema.
Other elements of my work involve:
- Compression therapy ? an important part of care for many patients ? I was involved in getting the first lymphology (flat knit) garments on prescription and have expert knowledge in this field, working endlessly to try and improvegarments offered to patients
- Facilitating/coordinating the ?Lymphaletics? event on behalf of the Children?s Lymphoedema Special Interest Group (CLSIG). A family day of fun and exercise + education for children suffering with Lymphoedema and their families is held every 2 years.
- Working closely with the BLS (I was co-chair in 2000 ? 2001) on numerous projects such as the National Tariff, Obesity related Lymphoedema and the Parliamentary launch of the commissioning Document for Lymphoedema Services ? so necessary to secure on-going and equitable funding for patients with lymphoedema in the UK. KLC is also the regional Ambassador for the BLS
- Supporting the patient lymphology charities (LSN and Lipoedema UK). I have also recently been voted onto the founding Board of Trustees for the International Lipoedema Association (ILA)
- An interest in advancing the treatment of lymphoedema associated with head and neck cancer which so often negatively impacts on patients? quality of life.
- I have become involved in research participating in studies looking at compression in the management of lymphoedema (using bandages and intermittent pneumatic compression).
NHS Base:
Kendal Lymphology Centre
64 Stramongate
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4BD
More information about our service can be found on our website: www.kendal-lymphology.co.uk
Other Information
Finally, I am also a Trustee for the Board of my local Hospice ? St Mary?s Hospice in Ulverston ? where I share my previous Hospice/current NHS/independent specialist nurse experience to raise their profile and input in the community.