News
Jun 15, 2010
Devon gets new Parkinson’s nurses
People with Parkinson's in Devon are getting better care than ever thanks to new specialist nurses.
Three new community nurses who specialise in Parkinson's have been appointed by NHS Devon, with support from Parkinson's UK, the support and research charity.
Three new community nurses who specialise in Parkinson's have been appointed by NHS Devon, with support from Parkinson's UK, the support and research charity.
The nurses are working closely with the county's community health and social care teams to ensure patients with Parkinson's get a high level of care close to their own home. Parkinson's UK haveinvested £250,000 to fund the posts for the first two years.
Julie Mitchell, NHS Devon's head of professional practice nursing, said: "We are pleased that we can offer this new service to support patients, families and their carers.
"The nurses make sure that people with Parkinson's get the right care at the right time from the right people.
"They are also helping to reduce unnecessary admissions to hospital and ensure patients who are admitted to hospital are discharged at the right time for them.
" Parkinson's nurses are critical to the care of people living with the condition. They help people manage their medication, offer advice and information about living with Parkinson's and give emotional support to both the person with Parkinson's and their family or carer.
Geoff King, influence and service development officer in the south west for Parkinson's UK, said: "The Parkinson's nurses will make a huge difference to people in the Devon area. We are passionate about ending the postcode lottery for access to Parkinson's nurses.
"We want to make sure that everyone with Parkinson's can see a Parkinson's nurse wherever they live in the UK."
An introduction to the three nurses:
Sian Day will be covering southern Devon and is based at Bovey Tracey community hospital. Sian can be contacted on 01626 832 279. Please leave a message on her answer phone if she is out of the office and she will call you back.
Frances Brice will be covering eastern Devon and is based at Tiverton & District community hospital. Frances can be contacted through the hospital reception on 01884 235 400.
Claire Soper has been appointed to cover the Exeter area and will start her role in December 2010. Until then Sian and Francis will work together to cover the whole of Devon.
Julie Mitchell, NHS Devon's head of professional practice nursing, said: "We are pleased that we can offer this new service to support patients, families and their carers.
"The nurses make sure that people with Parkinson's get the right care at the right time from the right people.
"They are also helping to reduce unnecessary admissions to hospital and ensure patients who are admitted to hospital are discharged at the right time for them.
" Parkinson's nurses are critical to the care of people living with the condition. They help people manage their medication, offer advice and information about living with Parkinson's and give emotional support to both the person with Parkinson's and their family or carer.
Geoff King, influence and service development officer in the south west for Parkinson's UK, said: "The Parkinson's nurses will make a huge difference to people in the Devon area. We are passionate about ending the postcode lottery for access to Parkinson's nurses.
"We want to make sure that everyone with Parkinson's can see a Parkinson's nurse wherever they live in the UK."
An introduction to the three nurses:
Sian Day will be covering southern Devon and is based at Bovey Tracey community hospital. Sian can be contacted on 01626 832 279. Please leave a message on her answer phone if she is out of the office and she will call you back.
Frances Brice will be covering eastern Devon and is based at Tiverton & District community hospital. Frances can be contacted through the hospital reception on 01884 235 400.
Claire Soper has been appointed to cover the Exeter area and will start her role in December 2010. Until then Sian and Francis will work together to cover the whole of Devon.