Hildegard Reul-Hirche, course co-facilitator; Helen Wassman, Executive Director Allied Health, South West Hospital and Health Service; Leonie Naumann, course co-facilitator

Two dedicated RBWH staff members have travelled more than 500kms west of Brisbane to provide vital education to regional health experts.

Hildegard Reul-Hirche and Leonie Naumann, co-facilitators of accredited lymphoedema courses at RBWH, delivered upper limb, breast and trunk, and lower limb, genital and abdomen courses in Roma in April and June 2021. This came about as a result of allied health and nursing practitioners in south-west Queensland identifying the need for training in the identification, diagnosis and management of lymphoedema as a priority.

Helen Wassman, Executive Director of Allied Health for the region, successfully sourced funding through a rural and remote education funding grant, to enable the training to be delivered locally.

Thirteen physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses from Roma, St George and Charleville completed the training, which equipped them to manage patients with and at risk of lymphoedema in their district. The community they service covers an area larger than the state of Victoria. Many of these patients were previously required to travel significant distances to more regional sites including Toowoomba for management. The participants valued the opportunity to complete the training locally, rather than being required to travel to more metropolitan centres.

Hildegard and Leonie were thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver the training in Roma while also being able to gain a glimpse into the challenges of delivering healthcare in such a diverse region.

“We look forward to opportunities to continue to support these newly trained lymphoedema practitioners as they consolidate their skills and knowledge,” said Hildegard.