Northern Rivers Secures Continued Support for Parkinson’s Care

In a significant development for healthcare in Northern New South Wales, the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), supported by Parkinson’s NSW, has renewed funding for specialist Parkinson’s nurses within the region. This initiative ensures that individuals living with Parkinson’s disease in Northern Rivers will maintain access to essential nursing support, crucial for managing their condition effectively.

Since its inception in 2020, the Parkinson’s nursing service has played an integral role in addressing the multifaceted needs of patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The service facilitates communication between patients and specialists while providing educational resources to aged care facilities and healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. Through this model, the nurses not only deliver expert nursing care but also provide emotional support to patients and their families.

The Parkinson's nurses, Tim Ayers and Rebecca Manners, operate weekly clinics across various centers in Northern Rivers, including Lismore, Grafton, Casino, Yamba, Ballina, and Murwillumbah. In 2024, the service expanded its reach by establishing the Movement Disorder Neurology Service (MDNS), which enhances ambulatory care for patients diagnosed with Parkinson's and other movement disorders. This service is a collaboration involving the Western Sydney Local Health District’s Movement Disorder Unit, Parkinson’s NSW, and the Rural Doctors Network. Notably, it allows access to a specialist neurologist who travels from Sydney’s Westmead Hospital to Ballina District Hospital for monthly in-person clinics, supplemented by weekly virtual consultations to maximize patient access and outcomes.

Parkinson's disease, characterized as a progressive and degenerative condition of the central nervous system, leads to a decline in dopamine levels, resulting in symptoms such as tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and balance issues. Additional symptoms may include fatigue, apathy, depression, disturbed sleep, loss of smell, and difficulties with speech and swallowing. Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, effective management strategies involving medication, exercise, and therapy can significantly improve patients' quality of life.

The global burden of Parkinson’s disease continues to rise, with an increase in both disability and mortality rates, outpacing other neurological disorders. This trend underscores the importance of accessible healthcare services, particularly in rural areas where specialist support is often limited.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park, emphasized the critical nature of these roles, stating, “The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is higher in rural and remote areas, where access to specialist neurological support can be limited.” He acknowledged the vital advocacy of Janelle Saffin, the Member for Lismore, in ensuring continued funding for the Parkinson’s nurses, highlighting how this service enhances the quality of life for residents by enabling them to receive care closer to home.

Janelle Saffin expressed her personal commitment to this cause, noting, “This is a cause that is very close to my heart as I lobbied hard to get these Parkinson’s nurses for our region a few years ago.” She further remarked that the nurses play a pivotal role in holistic care, improving access to services and mitigating patient risk and hospital admissions.

Tracey Maisey, Chief Executive of NNSWLHD, stated, “Northern NSW Local Health District has become a regional leader in movement disorder care since establishing the Parkinson’s Disease Nursing Service in 2020.” She projected that the number of individuals living with Parkinson’s in the area could double to 3,000 by 2030 due to an ageing population, with projections indicating that nearly one in three residents will be over 65 by that time.

Mary Kay Walker, CEO of Parkinson’s NSW, expressed optimism regarding the renewed funding, stating, “We are delighted to learn that funding has been renewed for Parkinson’s nurses in the Northern NSW Local Health District. Parkinson's nurses are the glue that holds together the multidisciplinary care team required for Parkinson’s patients, playing a vital role in facilitating care in regional communities through telemedicine consultations.”

For further information about the Parkinson’s Disease Nursing Service, please visit: [NNSWLHD Parkinson’s Service](https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services/movement-disorders/parkinsons-disease-nursing-service). This renewed commitment to care not only signifies a step forward in the management of Parkinson's disease but also reflects a broader recognition of the healthcare needs of Australia’s rural populations.