Part of the Governing Board of Trustees

Melanie Thomas, Physiotherapist

Melanie is a Chartered Physiotherapist and is the National Clinical Lead for Lymphoedema Services in Wales, UK. She was instrumental in developing equitable lymphoedema services in Wales and now manages the award winning Lymphoedema Network Wales.

Her interest in lymphoedema began in 1997 whilst working in a local hospice. In 2001, she set up the first lymphoedema service in South West Wales. Melanie qualified as a lymphoedema teacher in 2005 as part of the Macmillan Lymphoedema Education Programme and leads on the education programme in Wales, delivering MLD and lymphoedema advanced update courses.

Melanie has been the principal investigator in numerous research trials in lymphoedema. She has just submitted her Doctorate with Swansea University on the lymphoedema risk reducing recommendations for people treated for breast cancer. She has presented and published widely in delivering innovations in lymphoedema care.
Melanie is currently the Programme Manager for the delivery of the Lymphatic Venous Anastomosis super microsurgery development and the national Paediatric Services in Wales. In 2012, Melanie became the first Macmillan Cancer Fellow. In 2013 was awarded a MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. In 2014, she was presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and in 2015 was awarded a Fellowship by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.