Nursing & Health Care School

We offer a comprehensive range of educational opportunities for nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists from any setting to develop core skills, knowledge and application of this knowledge of people with lymphoedema or chronic oedema with lymphatic insufficiency, with progression to Specialist Advanced levels.

Andrea Stigent - Lymphoedema Specialist Physiotherapist

"If you were thinking about improving your clinical and academic skills I would say, “go for it!” I never expected to enjoy it as much as I have and hopefully you will feel the same.

Arriving at the University on the first day was nerve wracking. Going back to studying was a frightening thought but needn’t have worried. We were immediately put at ease and by the programme director and soon we felt like we’d known each other for years.

Our cohort consisted of nurses, physiotherapists and an occupational therapist and we were encouraged to learn from each other. Everyone, even those with several years of experience of lymphoedema found the courses useful and informative. The initial courses covered the basic anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, the pathophysiology of lymphoedema and develop your assessment skills, all in a supportive environment. In addition to the clinical skills, we also gained knowledge in the skill of critical appraisal, an essential aspect of working at this academic level.
We now realised that we had not only to be good clinicians, but also had to look to the future, planning to meet the needs of both patients, staff and the service as a whole – the “bigger picture”. We were supplied with help and advice on different strategies to try and sent off to develop our ideas. Although possible for experienced professionals to take the course without a formal assessment, this may be a missed opportunity because the feedback received from teaching staff and students alike is invaluable."

Rachael Hutton - Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist

The three Glasgow University lymphoedema courses have helped drag me into a modern approach modern world of nursing. Days were spent writing and rewriting my first assignment, pushing my very basic word processing abilities to the limit. In traditional nursing style I battled on, refusing to seek outside help, and resisting having the use of anymore computer related tools, such as e-mail. When results came through of the assignment…….I had failed. I was mortified, all that time and hard work had not paid off. 

Swallowing my pride I finally accepted times had changed and I needed to go with the flow if I was to progress. Embracing modern technology was the only way forward and I grabbed whatever help I could. Help from staff at Glasgow University was fantastic. They were always happy to help and always prompt at returning e mails. The Glasgow University course leaders always took very good care of us too.

All three lymphoedema courses were outstanding. Each one was packed with useful information, practical sessions, and interesting speakers. At all times students’ individual needs were met and as classes were small we bonded well.  Though the academic side of the courses has been tough, the quality teaching and support has pulled us all through to a level of confidence and competence that we could only dream of when we started out.

Looking back I can see I have been gently dragged (with only some kicking and screaming) from the dark ages into a much better world. Forget the typewriter, where’s my iPad ?

Lorna MacLean - MCL Student

I have found the University of Glasgow lymphoedema courses extremely helpful.  Since undertaking the courses (especially module 3), I now realise how limited my knowledge was around lymphoedema.  As well as increasing my understanding of the theory of lymphoedema, the course has given me the confidence to question the practice in my area and make my own clinical decisions. 

Being able to discuss cases with my tutors and fellow students has been invaluable.  The course has taught me how to analyse articles critically and the importance of keeping up to date and reading regularly.  Being shown MLD and MLLB and being able to practice these skills as often as I required, while in Glasgow, was invaluable.  The tutors were very patient and watching the videos on MLD was great for revision. 

Since doing the course, I feel I am more pro-active with treatment choices and I'm not scared to try something new.  If I'm not sure what to do, I will ask for guidance.  I feel my patients are receiving better treatments now.

Meabh Prendergast

I attended the Specialist Lymphoedema Management Graduate Diploma at the University of Glasgow from 2012-2014. I was working as a Staff Nurse in Vascular Out-Patients in Ireland, and had begun to notice that many of our patients attending with lymphoedema or chronic oedema were not receiving optimal care for these issues, I wanted to learn best how to help them to manage their condition.

I chose to attend the University of Glasgow as their approach to blended learning stood out among the other courses on offer, especially as I was based outside of the UK.

I cannot say enough good things about the time I spent with the students and staff of the specialist Lymphoedema Management courses. All the tutors are experienced professionals who have vast clinical experience in addition to their academic skills. This is hugely important when learning how to treat patients with lymphoedema/chronic oedema, as the practical element of the course is just necessary as the academic. The course has not only given me a specialist academic qualification, certification in manual lymph drainage (MLD), and taught me about the management of these conditions, but has also immensely improved my critical thinking skills, a major requirement in all specialist courses.

There is a great atmosphere here, everyone is friendly and approachable and because the clinical background of students can be varied, we all contribute to each other’s learning.

If anyone is considering a career in Lymphoedema Management practice - there is only one place to study and that is the University of Glasgow!

Carol Brailsford - Macmillan Clinical Specialist Lymphoedema/Chronic Oedema

"Every time I come here for a course or part of a course, I leave feeling more confident”