A new community-based Parkinson's specialist nurse will be instated in Crewe, following a fundraising drive by the Crewe and District branch.
The role is being developed by NHS South Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Vale Royal CCG alongside Parkinson's UK and the new nurse, Gill Carter. It is hoped that the role will offer specialist support as well as being part of a wider medical team.
Marion Rogers, Parkinson's UK Area Development Manager for Cheshire said that they were thrilled that Ms Carter had taken up the role.
'Parkinson’s nurses are critical in managing this complex and fluctuating condition, and it’s vital that people with Parkinson’s living in Cheshire have access to specialist knowledge and support,' she added.
Ms Carter will spend the next two years developing the service so that ultimately everyone with a Parkinson's diagnosis with a GP in the area is able to access the service.
Ms Carter, said: 'Having worked with people with Multiple Sclerosis for the last seven and a half years, I was keen to remain working with people with neurological conditions. I am excited about this role and looking forward to the challenges it brings.'
The role of the Parkinson's nurses is to provide vital advice, information and emotional support and to help people manage complicated medication regimes and control their condition. Without nurses people with Parkinson's may only see a consultant once or twice a year for 15 minute appointments.
The new nurse post is being funded by Parkinson’s UK for an initial two-year period, alongside £60,000 raised by the charity’s Crewe and District branch over the last 12 years. The campaigning efforts were led by Dennis Fricker who is the chairman of the local branch and has had Parkinson's for many years.
NHS South Cheshire CCG and NHS Vale Royal CCG will continue funding at the end of the two-year period, the charity is assured the service will go on to support more people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the future.
Parkinson's nurses have been found to save the NHS millions of pounds by driving down demand for consultant appointments, decreasing unexpected hospital admissions and shortening hospital stays.