Evaluation of the economic impact of a national lymphoedema service in Wales

Joan Humphreys and Melanie J Thomas. British Journal of Nursing, 2017, Vol 26, No 20

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Evaluation of the economic impact of a national lymphoedema service in Wales

Joan Humphreys and Melanie J Thomas. British Journal of Nursing, 2017, Vol 26, No 20

Lymphoedema Network Wales has focused on maximising the impact of its service through the effective use of available resources to ensure high quality and consistent care for people with lymphoedema across Wales. The aim of this evaluation was to estimate the economic impact of a national lymphoedema service on the NHS Wales budget. Work was undertaken to determine the care pathway within Lymphoedema Network Wales and develop a hypothetical ‘world without’ the service as a comparator. The four groups of patients that made up the pathways were group 0: ‘at risk’, group 1–2: ‘uncomplicated lymphoedema’, group 3: ‘complicated/complex’ and group 4: ‘palliative care’. Overall resource utilisation between 6 months pre- and 6 months post-entry indicated that there were significant cost reductions to be seen after lymphoedema service entry for all patients in each group. This evaluation provides estimates that suggest that the service is likely to be cost saving when people with lymphoedema are managed within Lymphoedema Network Wales rather than in a ‘world without’ the service.

Main findings

  • The aim of this evaluation was to estimate the economic (cost) impact of Lymphoedema Network Wales on the NHS Wales budget. The objectives were to:
    • Quantify the likely cost burden associated with lymphoedema in Wales
    • Assess the wider costs to patients and families resulting from lymphoedema.
    • Estimate the financial benefits associated with the services provided in Wales.
  • Key points:
    • Untreated lymphoedema is a burden on the NHS.
    • The commissioning of lymphoedema services across the UK not only improves quality of life of people with lymphoedema but makes health economic savings for the NHS.
    • This research article provides the first steps in suggesting the potential economic improvements in developing lymphoedema services.
    • Lymphoedema services are an exemplar of prudent health care.