Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Circle Health Group have announced a new initiative, providing specialist lymphoedema services from the Harbour Hospital in Poole. The launch of the partnership in March 2026 coincides with lymphoedema awareness month and brings together charitable and private healthcare expertise to improve early access to education, support, and preventative care for patients across Dorset.
The service is for people undergoing cancer treatment who may be at risk of developing lymphoedema, particularly breast cancer patients. The partnership offers structured support for patients in the early stages of their treatment pathway, empowering them before surgery, throughout treatment, and into recovery.
Laura Adams, Director of Clinical Services at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said: “Our new partnership is a natural extension of the anticipatory care model we work with at Lewis-Manning. We’re focused on offering the right support early and empowering people to feel confident in managing their health. The approach reflects Lewis-Manning and Harbour Hospital’s shared commitment to anticipatory care, helping people feel informed, supported, and confident from the outset of their healthcare journey. By working alongside Circle Health Group at the Harbour Hospital, we can ensure patients understand what lymphoedema is, how it may affect them, and where to turn for support.”
The programme includes a series of sessions that combine clinical expertise from Lewis-Manning and Harbour Hospital in a safe and supportive group setting. Sessions include patient-led discussions, guided physical activities, lymphoedema education and self-management techniques, nutrition and weight management advice, and practical guidance to support patients with their long-term wellbeing. As the service develops over time, patient feedback will play a central role in shaping how it is delivered.
Maria Murphy, Clinical Services Manager for Oncology Services at the Harbour Hospital, said: “Working with Lewis-Manning allows us to strengthen the care we offer by bringing specialist knowledge directly into the hospital setting. The programme is designed around the patient, focusing on clear communication, continuity of care, and building confidence at every stage. It is a collaborative approach that supports people not just clinically, but practically and emotionally as well.”
The partnership represents a distinctive model within the healthcare landscape, demonstrating how charities and private healthcare providers can work together to respond directly to patient needs.
As Dorset’s independent hospice charity, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care supports people to live well with illness through proactive, community-based services delivered at home, in local hubs, and now in partnership with hospital teams. Collaborating with Harbour Hospital enables earlier intervention, smoother care pathways, and a cycle of support shaped by patient experience.
