HSE funding is urgently needed for specialist Parkinson’s Disease (PD) nurses, as diagnoses of PD in Ireland are set to double by 2040, according to the Cork Parkinson’s Association, the Dublin branch of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland and Young Parkinson’s Ireland.
They were speaking at an Oireachtas briefing to TDs and Senators in July.
They said that there are over 12,000 people living with Parkinson’s Disease in Ireland and it is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world, with increasing incidences in under 65s. Since 2019, several specialist nurses had left their posts without being replaced, resulting in just six to serve the population. Only 21% of people with Parkinson’s Disease reported having had any access to a PD nurse specialist since diagnosis, significantly less than the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines that stated people with Parkinson’s (PWP) should be seen at least twice a year.
Tony Wilkinson, Chairperson, Cork Parkinson’s Association, said, “Funding to support additional Parkinson’s Disease nurse specialists is absolutely critical. To meet growing demand, we need 31 over the next five years, while we currently only have six.
“PD specialist nurses provide hugely valuable services to people living with the disease, including medication review and adherence, coordination of care, emotional support and counselling, treating non-motor symptoms, home visits and providing support to those living with Parkinson’s in managing their own care.
“This support can allow those living with the disease to have more independence and autonomy and ultimately reduce pressure on the hospitals. Alongside this, each specialist nurse will save the HSE up to €300,000 a year which could be invested into other services.”
Nurses do not currently receive specialist Parkinson’s Disease training at undergraduate level and are required to shadow a consultant neurologist for two years before becoming fully qualified PD nurse specialists. Cork Parkinson’s Association has secured support from two consultant neurologists to facilitate this training.
Professor Tim Lynch, Consultant Neurologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Clinical Director of the Dublin Neurological Institute said, “Incredibly, 4 out of 5 people living with Parkinson’s disease, do not have access to a nurse specialist because of limited investment over the years in neurology services. Furthermore, we do not have adequate multidisciplinary staff to meet the increasing demands post Covid, especially for people with Parkinson’s Disease who struggled and deteriorated significantly during isolation.
“In general, there is a lack of knowledge about brain and mind disorders which are often incorrectly deemed more complex and less treatable than other illnesses. We need to increase awareness, interest and investment into brain and mind disorders especially treatable disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease.”
