VALE cancer patients now have the comfort of treatment on their doorstep thanks to a new clinic based at Evesham hospital.

The Lymphoedema Service, hosted by St Richard's Hospice, has opened a satellite service for the town in response to a big demand from patients in the area.

The service was set up to offer treatment for the condition, which can be a side effect of cancer therapy.

St Richard's Hospice pioneered Worcestershire's first full-time lymphoedema clinic just over a year ago.

The service, in partnership with South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and Macmillan Cancer Relief, has had a huge impact.

Patients who had to travel out of the county to Cheltenham or Oxford now only had to visit the hospice.

Nina Linnitt, lymphoedema clinical nurse specialist, will head the new clinic which was launched last Wednesday.

She said: "We have had such a demand for our service since we opened and at least 30 per cent of patients live in the Evesham area. We decided to start up our satellite clinic so these patients can be treated on their own doorstep."

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by poor lymphatic functioning, which can occur after the lymph nodes and glands are 'scarred' after radiotherapy.

The condition can be treated with gentle exercise, compression and special massages.

The Evesham clinic will run twice a month at the Community Hospital, with follow-up care provided by two nurse practitioners.

Julie McVittie, who also works part-time at Pershore's Abbotswood Surgery, will be a familiar face to many.

Her colleague and former Riverside surgery nurse Alison Wassall also knows the area well.

The Journal is currently raising funds for St Richard's new hospice appeal in Worcester.

And you can help. Have you got an event that's raising money for the appeal in the run-up to Christmas? Ring Claire Charles on 01386 765678.