Three new machines to help patients with lymphoedema have been bought for Hywel Dda patients.

The £14,850 equipment, known as the LymphaTouch machine, was funded by Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda Health Board.

Lymphoedema is a chronic, life-long condition afflicting all ages that results from fluid collecting in the skin due to diverse causes like cancer treatment, injury, and obesity.

This leads to painful swelling and reduced mobility.

Previously, Hywel Dda's lymphoedema service had only one LymphaTouch machine.

However, the fresh funding has enabled the acquisition of three new, high-tech LymphaTouch machines.

This means the advanced technology is now accessible across the entire Hywel Dda region of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Andrea Graham, the health board’s lymphoedema service lead, said: "We are extremely grateful that donations from the public have enabled us to buy the three LymphaTouch machines.

"This equipment provides the latest technology which enables the therapist to work more efficiently and the patient to achieve concrete results faster."

Ms Graham explained how the machines work, saying: "They apply negative pressure to the skin.

"They are portable and therefore easier for staff to use and more able to access parts of the body affected."

Nicola Llewelyn, head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, praised the local communities' support, saying: "The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive."