Advocating for the Lymphoedema Community of SA

For many years SA had been the only state in Australia without a compression garment subsidy scheme meaning that our lymphoedema community did not receive the same financial assistance to manage their condition as their counterparts in other states and territories did. LASA has worked hard advocating to rectify this problem through the tireless work of our volunteer committee and in particular former President Monique Bareham and former Vice-President Alison Neilson to ensure our cause was well represented to the decision-makers. 

Our campaign has been very successful and we were pleased to announce the launch of the very first South Australian Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme (CGSS) in July 2020.  This is a major step forward and greatly benefits our lymphoedema community. The work can not stop here. Many South Australians still do not have access to a lymphoedema therapist as there are limited public lymphoedema services available across the state. 
How can you help?If you would like to add your voice to the call for improved health outcomes for the SA Lymphoedema Community, you can help by writing to your local MP. Personal stories are powerful and clearly demonstrate the real-life impacts that not having access to lymphoedema services has. You can provide feedback through the SA Health Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme webpage here 
We are always willing to assist you in this process if you are unsure how to go about it so please feel free to contact us. 

LASA Advocacy Milestones

The LASA Committee is working with the Lymphoedema Association Australia to merge our two associations. Strong local representation and a national voice will serve our SA lymphoedema community well into the future.
The LASA Committee has continued to advocate throughout the year for improved support for people living with lymphoedema, access to the Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme and improved public services
October - Lymphoedema Advocacy was recognised when former LASA President Monique Bareham was awarded 2022 South Australian Local Hero, Australian of the Year Award, nominated by the LASA Committee
March - FCIC Survivorship Conference Poster 'Minding the Gap – Consumer led programme fills much needed cancer related lymphoedema management space'
October - Flinders Medical Centre Lymphoedema Clinic opens
July - SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Minister Stephen Wade MLC launches the first South Australian Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme
LASA represents the consumer voice in the 'Wellbeing SA Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme Advisory Group'  tasked to assist the working party to develop and introduce the Compression Garment Subsidy Scheme to SA
Lymphoedema is mentioned 11 times in SA Parliament
May - LASA meets with Hon. Mr Stephen Wade, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, SA Health and Hon. Ms Connie Bonaros, SA Best
March - LASA sent letters and blue lymphoedema ribbons to every SA Member of Parliament calling for action. 
February - LASA travels to Mt Gambier to raise the issue of lymphoedema at a Community Forum attended by Federal Minister for Health, Hon Greg Hunt MP
September - Motion regarding lymphoedema raised and carried in SA Parliament by Troy Bell MP. Supported by: Hon G Brock MLC, Sam DuluK MP, and Chris Picton MP
September - LASA lodges a submission to include dedicated lymphoedema services at the 'Repat'.  Subsequently, lymphoedema is listed as the number one health service missing in the 'Reactivate the Repat' Proposal
May - Lymphoedema raised as a Matter of Interest in SA Parliament by Hon D Hood MLC
July - LASA, joined by ALA representatives, meets with then SA Health Minister, Jack Snelling. A business case for lymphoedema is to be developed but due to the change in state government it is not completed
February - LASA gives a Consumer Presentation at the FCIC Cancer Survivorship Conference entitled 'Mind the Gap' outlining the issues faced by SA Cancer Survivors diagnosed with or at risk of developing lymphoedema
- LASA begins contacting local MP's and attending community forums to raise issues about the lack of public lymphoedema services and a compression garment subsidy
-LASA Committee begins to accompany Prof. Piller on Lymphoedema Screening and Information Events throughout the state. These sessions enable us to learn more about what the real issues affecting the SA Lymphoedema Community are and raise awareness of the lack of PUBLIC lymphoedema services and a compression garment subsidy scheme
- The Yorke Peninsula Branch of the LSGSA was created with the inaugural meeting held in Moonta
- The Lymphoedema Support Group SA Incorporated is formed following the suggestion from Drs John and Judith Casley-Smith that people living with lymphoedema create a support group
- Here is where it all began! Lymphoedema Pioneer Michael Mason, places an advert in a SA newspaper asking anyone who has 'swelling' to meet at an Adelaide hotel. Over 100 people attend to learn for the first time about lymphoedema. With the encouragement of the late Dr John Casley-Smith, Michael became the first physiotherapist in Australia to treat lymphoedema using complex physical therapy. He then trained at the famous Foldi Clinic in Germany and went on to develop post graduate training in Australia

As you can see there are many gaps in our timeline as much of our early history appears to have been lost. If you can help us to connect the dots we will be very pleased to hear from you through our Contact Page. A special thank you to our Patron Prof. Neil Piller for some early images and to founding members for their assistance so far.

Advocating for the Lymphoedema Community of SA

LASA Advocacy Milestones

Increasing Awareness of Lymphoedema in the Community

Lymphoedema in the Media

Become a Lymphoedema Legend and Support Us!

LASA Lymphoedema Association SA Inc.