Lipoedema: Health Services

The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy will play a central role in improving outcomes for women living with long‑term conditions like lipoedema by addressing the systemic barriers that have historically contributed to delayed diagnosis, variability in care, and poorer health experiences.

In the National Health Service, lipoedema is often treated within lymphoedema services. This is because the care and support offered by lymphoedema services closely match what most people with lipoedema need. These services provide the core conservative treatments for both conditions, including compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care, movement and exercise support, and self‑management advice. These approaches are central to the management of lipoedema and are already well‑established within lymphoedema teams.

We recognise the need to improve awareness and understanding of lipoedema. To support earlier, more accurate diagnosis, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has worked in partnership with Lipoedema UK to develop a dedicated e‑learning module for general practitioners, covering the presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of lipoedema in primary care. This resource is freely available to RCGP members.

Access to specialist assessment and treatment for lipoedema is commissioned locally by integrated care boards, which are best placed to understand local population need. Treatment options may include compression therapy, simple lymphatic drainage, self‑management support and, in severe cases, consideration of liposuction in line with interventional procedures guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinicians may offer treatment where appropriate, using their professional judgment and taking advice published by NICE into account.