Lipoedema Support Network Ireland

18/10/2026

11/10/2026

🚨 HOW MUCH LONGER WILL THE HSE FAIL WOMEN WITH LIPOEDEMA?

Lipoedema affects up to 1 in 10 women, yet women in Ireland face years of misdiagnosis, inadequate care and barriers to treatment.

Three years after the HSE established a working group, patients are still waiting for a national model of care, and treatment pathway.

Now, access to treatment is being further restricted, with C*D reimbursement applications being paused, leaving women in limbo.

Women who have already endured years of pain, dismissal, and medical gaslighting are being forced to fight yet again for treatment.

In August, leading international experts presented the latest research on lipoedema in Ireland. Despite repeated invitations, the HSE failed to attend.

Where is the accountability? Who is holding the HSE to account?

Women deserve answers. Not more pain, delays, and broken promises.

📢 Share this video. Help us make their voices heard.

06/10/2026

🚨PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS CAPTION 🚨

Just over a month ago, we marked a historic moment for women with lipoedema in Ireland.

370 attendees joined us from Ireland, and around the world to hear the latest research, clinical expertise, and patient experiences.

Among them were members of the LipLeg research team, presenting the landmark study on the long-term outcomes of surgical treatment for lipoedema. This is the same research referenced by the Minister for Health in the Dáil, when she confirmed the HSE had been tasked with reviewing the evidence for surgical treatment.

The HSE had the opportunity to attend, meet the researchers and hear the evidence directly.

They were invited more than once. They did not come.

A month on, patients are being told that Cross Border Directive lipoedema applications have been paused pending a clinical review.

We have sought urgent clarification from the HSE and the Cross Border Directive team, but continue to receive generic responses and uncertainty.

At the same time, the national lipoedema guidance, advised by the HSE’s Assistant National Director that it would be published by June 2026, remains unpublished three years after the working group was established.

Other countries are moving forward. Ireland is going backwards.

✅ The HSE has access to the research.
✅ It has had access to the experts.
✅ It has heard from patients.

❌ What it has not provided is answers.

03/09/2026

We’re still on a high from the weekend 💜 what was your favourite part of the weekend?

01/09/2026

Thank you to for joining us on Saturday, and for her continued support in helping to raise awareness of Lipoedema. We look forward to continuing to work with you and creating a better future for women with Lipoedema 💜

30/08/2026

What a weekend! Yesterday, we made history by hosting the inaugural National Lipoedema Conference 🇮🇪 we had 370 attendees from all over Ireland, UK, Europe, US, Canada and Australia.

Thank you to Maeve O'Connell and Jerry Buttimer TD for attending and their support in raising awareness of Lipoedema.

A very special thanks to our Clinical Lead, Dr. Ghods PD Dr. Ghods and Team without whom this day would not have been possible.

To all our speakers for giving informative and insightful presentations, especially those travelling from afar.

Thank you to our exhibitors for their support, especially Medi Ireland Manual Lymph Drainage Therapists Ireland The Lymph Glow

Finally, to everyone else who helped on the day and over the last few weeks. We couldn’t have done it without you and we’re incredibly grateful for the support 💜

AnnMarie, Aileen & Steph

27/08/2026

Hot off the press 🔥

We’re on official countdown to the first National Lipoedema Conference on Saturday 🥳

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Cork International Hotel

If you’re not attending and would like a copy of the programme, leave a comment below and we’ll send a link 💜

26/08/2026

Meet Our Speaker | Prof. Julia Groß 🇩🇪

We’re delighted to welcome Prof. Julia Groß, Professor of Biochemistry at the Health and Medical University Potsdam, to the National Lipoedema Conference 2026.

Prof. Groß is also Prorector for Research and a research collaborator of Dr. Ghods. Her scientific work focuses on cell biology, extracellular signalling and communication between cells, with particular expertise in extracellular vesicles and their role in tissue health and disease.

🎤 Prof. Groß will present:
Newest Basic Research Insights into Lipedema

What is happening within lipoedema tissue at a molecular and cellular level? In this session, Prof. Groß will share the newest basic research insights into the biological mechanisms and pathways that may contribute to lipoedema.

Her translational research perspective will help connect emerging laboratory findings with our developing clinical understanding of the condition.

Prof. Groß joins 27 leading experts, advocates and people with lived experience from across Ireland and Europe, making this the most comprehensive lipoedema event ever held in Ireland.

📍 Cork International Hotel
📅 29th August 2026

🎟️ Tickets are currently sold out. Join the ticket waitlist through the link in our bio.

22/08/2026

Meet Our Speaker | Dr. rer. nat. Sabrina Gohlke 🇩🇪

We’re delighted to welcome Dr. rer. nat. Sabrina Gohlke, researcher in adipose tissue biology and metabolic disease at the German Institute for Nutrition Research, to the National Lipoedema Conference 2026.

Dr. Gohlke’s research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying lipoedema. As a research collaborator of Dr. Ghods, she has contributed significantly to translational research exploring adipocyte hypertrophy, inflammation, macrophage involvement and interstitial fibrosis within lipoedema tissue.

🎤 Dr. Gohlke will present:
Newest Basic Research Insights into Lipedema

What is happening within lipoedema tissue at a molecular and cellular level? In this session, Dr. Gohlke will share the newest basic research insights into the biological pathways that may contribute to disease progression and the development of symptoms.

Her work helps bridge the gap between laboratory science and clinical understanding, providing valuable insight into the complex biological processes associated with lipoedema.

Dr. Gohlke joins 27 leading experts, advocates and people with lived experience from across Ireland and Europe, making this the most comprehensive lipoedema event ever held in Ireland.

📍 Cork International Hotel
📅 29th August 2026

🎟️ Tickets are currently sold out. Join the ticket waitlist through the link in our bio to be notified if a place becomes available.

20/08/2026

Meet Our Speaker | Susie Birney 🇮🇪

We’re delighted to welcome Susie Birney, Executive Director of the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity, to the National Lipoedema Conference 2026.

Susie is an experienced patient advocate who works nationally and across Europe to improve understanding of obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease. Drawing on her own lived experience, she champions compassionate, evidence-based care, people-first language and the reduction of weight stigma in healthcare and wider society.

🎤 Susie will present:
Obesity & Lipoedema

What happens when obesity and lipoedema coexist, and how can we ensure that patients receive appropriate, respectful care? In this session, Susie will share the patient perspective on stigma, dignity and the need for compassionate care pathways that support people living with complex chronic conditions.

Susie joins 27 leading experts, advocates and people with lived experience from across Ireland and Europe, making this the most comprehensive lipoedema event ever held in Ireland.

📍 Cork International Hotel
📅 29th August 2026

🎟️ Tickets are currently sold out. Join the ticket waitlist through the link in our bio to be notified if places become available.