Healthcare Policy
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG), Dún Laoghaire

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 108 together.
I recognise that lipoedema is a chronic and often very painful condition, which can significantly affect physical health, mobility, quality of life and psychological well-being. It is frequently under-recognised or misdiagnosed. I am very aware of the distress many women experience in seeking recognition, diagnosis and appropriate support. Diagnosis remains challenging as there is no specific diagnostic test. It is based on clinical history and examination by an experienced clinician, with investigations used to exclude other conditions or contributing factors. There is currently no medication or cure as such that we are aware of. Management that appears to be the approach, requiring a holistic, multidisciplinary and person-centred approach.
In relation to surgery, the HSE's chief clinical officer has tasked the national clinical programme for plastic surgery with reviewing the evidence. I understand the clinical programme has provided its advice to the chief clinical officer for consideration. I would like to have the opportunity to discuss this with the chief clinical officer in greater detail. I have not had that opportunity in the context of the parliamentary questions and everything else going on. International research continues to evolve, including the LIPLEG trial in Germany examining whether liposuction can provide greater long-term improvements in pain and symptoms compared with complex decongestive therapy alone. That evidence will be important to inform any future updates to the guidance. A working group was established in 2023 to develop a standardised, evidence-based approach for health services but I really want to discuss the matter with the chief clinical officer, recognising the evolving evidence.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09