NURSES from St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, are working at a new clinic in the town.

The clinic has been launched to help people suffering from lymphoedema, a disease which causes fluid to collect in body tissue.

The ailment is normally associated with cancers and their treatments, but there are a growing number of sufferers who do not have cancer and it is harder for them to get help.

Darlington Primary Care Trust is providing the clinic, which is using specially trained community nurses working out of St Teresa's Hospice.

"We are trying to make it more widespread for patients who do not have cancer," said staff nurse Janet Walker, who runs the service with staff nurse Julie Smith.

"The main cause is the side-effects caused by some treatments of cancer, particularly breast cancer.

"But there has been a gap for those lymphoedema sufferers who do not have cancer and that is what we are trying to address by providing a comprehensive service."

There is no cure for lymphoedema, but with the right treatment it can be managed to maximise patients' quality of life.

The clinic offers patients support and information on how best to cope with the disease, including skin care, massage and exercises, plus allied healthcare professionals.

Darlington Primary Care Trust nurse development facilitator Win Suggett said: "This excellent service is developed in partnership with St Teresa's Hospice and their staff, and promotes patients avoiding hospital admission, which enables them to remain where they want to be, which is usually in their homes."