MP fights for Parkinson’s patients

Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, is working alongside local Parkinson’s patients, their families and carers, supporting their action to retain a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse service in Eastern Cheshire. This issue has arisen following the resignation of the previous nurse – and East Cheshire NHS Trust withdrawing from delivery of the service.

David met with local Parkinson’s patients, and the Parkinson’s UK co-ordinator for Cheshire and Merseyside, Marion Rogers, at a specially-arranged meeting, who emphasised their strong concerns, which David shares, about the potential loss of the Parkinson’s community nursing service in Eastern Cheshire, which is currently provided by East Cheshire NHS Trust.They explained that Parkinson’s nurses play a vital role within the local Parkinson’s community, helping to significantly reduce the number of unplanned hospital admissions, and providing invaluable information, advice and emotional support provided to local patients and their carers, on day-to-day concerns about issues such as managing medication. David pledged his support to seeing the Parkinson’s nurse service being retained and delivered locally.

At the meeting with Parkinson’s UK, it was emphasised to David that Parkinson’s patients in Eastern Cheshire rely on being able to access a local nurse, who is able to contact doctors and clinicians within the local health economy. In addition, the existing consultant service, also bought in from Salford Royal, has a limited number of appointments. With over 450 people in Eastern Cheshire living with Parkinson’s, it is vital that they can access specialist advice and support, when they need it.

Marion Rogers, Parkinson’s UK area development manager said, “The fact that people with Parkinson’s in East Cheshire are currently left without any specialist nurse support is deeply concerning. People with Parkinson’s desperately need the regular support these nurses offer, for medication management, mental health issues, and in accessing other services. We hope that NHS decision makers will act quickly to ensure those living with the condition are not left without this vital support for much longer.”

Speaking after the meeting, David said, “I strongly agree with the clearly-stated concerns of local Parkinson’s patients, and their families and carers, about the potential loss of the full-time Parkinson’s Nurse position and service in Eastern Cheshire. I have written to the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and to East Cheshire NHS Trust, in support of retaining a local Parkinson’s nurse service. Following a recent meeting with NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group it has been confirmed to me that it is exploring the feasibility of securing a new provider for this service. It is positive to see that they are taking steps to address this situation and I will continue to work with them to ensure that we see a dedicated Parkinson’s nurse service available to the people of Macclesfield and Eastern Cheshire.”