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Championing Parkinson's nurses in Wales

5 July 2011

We launched a new report today - Parkinson's nurses – affordable, local, accessible and expert care - which champions the work of Parkinson's nurses in Wales.

Hywel Griffiths, who has Parkinson's, holding placard 'My nurse is my lifeline'The report highlights how Parkinson's nurses help save the NHS money.

This is by driving down demand for consultant appointments, reducing hospital admissions and shortening hospital stays for people with Parkinson's.

Fair care

The report forms part of our Fair Care for Parkinson's campaign. 

If you're in Wales and affected by Parkinson's, the campaign calls upon you to tell your Assembly Members about the importance of Parkinson's nurses.

You can let them know how significant Parkinson's nurses are as a 'must have' service to people living with the condition.

Image right: Hywel Griffiths, who has Parkinson's

National Assembly launch

We also co-hosted a launch event today - with Welsh Assembly Members Jeff Cuthbert and Christine Chapman - at the National Assembly.

This gave an opportunity for Parkinson's UK staff, people with Parkinson's and their families to speak directly to Assembly Members. 

We hope that the Welsh Government will acknowledge the importance of ensuring equal access to Parkinson's nurses across Wales - a key objective of our Fair Care campaign.

Dedicated local specialists

We hope that the release of our report and the event today will help promote and protect this vital frontline service for everyone affected by Parkinson's.

Aileen Napier, Wales Manager

Aileen Napier, our Wales Country Manager comments:

"People with Parkinson's tell us the most important person in helping them manage their condition is their Parkinson's nurse. 

"We are so passionate about this that we have invested more than £12million in specialist Parkinson's nurse posts across the UK.

"Yet many people with the condition in Wales have still never seen a Parkinson's nurse.

"We hope that the release of our report and the event today, as part of our wider campaign, will help promote and protect this vital frontline service for everyone affected by Parkinson's in Wales. 

"We understand the Government’s need for financial restraint, which is why we want to highlight the fact that Parkinson's nurses are a cost-effective, frontline service for people living with the condition."