We are a dedicated team of specialist nurses, assistant practitioners, and healthcare assistants with expertise in the care and treatment of lymphoedema supported by an administrative team.
Debbie - Lead Lymphoedema Specialist I am a Chartered Physiotherapist and have worked in Oncology and Palliative Care for over 20 years. In 2003 qualified as a Certified Lymphoedema Therapist (Foeldi) and continue to update regularly, including attending specialist training courses and conference. Prior to moving to Somerset in 2013, I led a Lymphoedema Service in Nottingham for 6 years and had the privilege to assess, manage and treat complex patients alongside Professor Vaughan Keeley and Christine Moffatt. I started leading the Lymphoedema service here at St margaret’s in March 2022. Really enjoy working within Lymphoedema and as there continues to be more research and innovation into this specialist area, it is exciting to be part of this development. What are my interests: Love the outdoors! Really enjoy keeping active; walking, jogging, cycling and gym classes. Enjoy meeting up with friends and family, going on holiday, cooking, eating out, listening to music, reading…the list goes on!!! Favourite thing: Family…and chocolate!! | Francis - Deputy Lead Lymphoedema Specialist I have been a District Nurse for most of my nursing career and have felt quite privileged being able to visit patients in their own homes. I really loved supporting people in their own homes and people living with long term conditions. Many of my patients had lymphoedema and this has led me into my current role as Lymphoedema Specialist Nurse What are my interests: I have so many interests and am always busy – the list is endless!! Favourite thing: Relaxing with good company and a glass of wine. |
Ali - Lymphoedema Specialist I have previously worked in intensive care, haematology and palliative care; but for the last 21 years I have worked here in the lymphoedema department at St Margarets Hospice. I have recently taken semi-retirement and now work two days a week, allowing me time to enjoy other interests. What are my interests: Going moor walking as much as possible, which I combine with going away in my campervan and taking the dogs with me. Favourite thing: I love nothing more than spending my time outside or watching a game of tennis with a glass of gin. | Becky - Lymphoedema Specialist I qualified as a nurse in 2010 and started my nursing career as a community nurse. I enjoyed the next few years working across Devon and Dorset and I loved the variety of this role and being able to visit people in their own homes. After having my children, I changed to working in the leg ulcer clinic where I really enjoyed the wound care and bandaging. I joined the Lymphoedema team as a Keyworker before working towards the specialist role. What are my interests: I am kept busy by my three young children and two mad spaniels! Favourite thing: Long walks with the dogs |
Aly - Lymphoedema Specialist I trained at MPH, gaining RGN qualification in 1988. I went on to work in various community hospital jobs and in nursing homes while having my children. From 2008, I joined the IPU team here at St Margarets Hospice as a registered nurse and stayed there for 13 years. 2 years ago, I made the decision to change job direction and joined the Lymphoedema service, as a keyworker. I have since qualified as a Lymphoedema Specialist. What are my interests: Walking with dog. Family. Animals in general, have plenty of pets. Narrow boating. Some artistic swimming coaching. Favourite thing: Nature and the outdoors. | Laura - Lymphoedema Specialist After qualifying as an adult nurse in 2005 I started my career on an acute surgical ward, before moving into community nursing. I loved my time seeing people in their homes and along with this grew my passion for wound care. In 2010 I move my focus into the leg ulcer service, spending days in clinics doing compression bandaging and managing the team. I think after 10 years in this role I could do bandaging with my eyes closed! In the last few years, I have been a tissue viability nurse specialist (posh way of saying I helped managed wounds and skin care) back in the acute setting. Throughout all this, my focus has always been on bandaging and how the right care at the right time has the best outcome, so this is the perfect role for me. I still get to bandage, be hands on and give service users the best care I can. What are my interests: I love a good read with a cuppa, or a night out at the cinema. If you want to have a nerdy in-depth chat about DC, I’m your girl. Favourite thing: Coffee and chocolate. |
Lynn – Lymphoedema Keyworker I became a registered nurse back in 2003, having trained in Musgrove Park Hospital and Plymouth University. Since then, I have worked in various departments; Oncology and haematology, outpatients, ITU and high dependency. I moved to St Margarets in 2008 and trained to be a lymphoedema specialist, which I loved. In 2022 I decided to have a short break and returned as a keyworker in 2023. What are my interests: Walking – particularly the coast. Swimming – particularly the sea. Reading – particularly on the beach. Favourite thing: Summer days, being outside with live music playing and good company. | Hayley - Assistant Practitioner I have been working for St Margarets for the past 6 years, working my way up from a Health care Assistant and increasing my knowledge and skill set, which has been beneficial for my job role here and I really enjoy it. Previously, I have done office Admin roles and Community Care, which I really enjoyed and worked my way up in this role until I was part of the Senior Care team. What are my interests: I enjoy spending time with my young family and getting out and about with our family dog. I also have a passion for running. Favourite thing: Socialising with family and friends |
Sarah – Assistant Practitioner I’ve worked in residential and nursing homes for the elderly, but since 2007 I’ve been working here at the hospice. Seven years of this has been in the inpatient unit and now here with the lymphoedema team. What are my interests: I like to spend my free time either walking or cooking. Favourite thing: A hot bubble bath. | Avril - Healthcare assistant Several years working in a general hospital and palliative care before joining the lymphoedema team at the hospice What are my interests: Enjoying the countryside, walking Favourite thing: Family get togethers. |
Clinical administration We have an amazing admin team working hard co-ordinating the clinics, supporting us and being a friendly voice at the end of the phone. We have, Sue, Steph, Jackie, Julie and Leslie, all with a variety of experience in many different organisations. We are also supported by amazing volunteers, who keep our clinics running and sort the never-ending hosiery orders! |
