Alan Bullion calls for more Parkinson's nurses in West Kent

By biodiesel1 | Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 16:04

There are 1,300 people with Parkinson’s in the West Kent PCT area, but only one Parkinson’s Nurse. NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines recommend a caseload of 300 people with Parkinson’s per nurse, leaving around 1,000 people in the area unable to access the full support of a nurse.

Parkinson’s UK revealed Parkinson’s nurses to be to the number one priority for people with Parkinson’s in a recent members’ survey.

Alan Bullion was asked by Pam Childs, Secretary of the Bexley and Dartford branch of Parkinson’s UK to sign the petition. Pam organised the petition and has over 900 signatures.

The Bexley and Dartford branch offers information, friendship and support to local people with Parkinson's, their families and carers to make sure that no one has to face Parkinson’s alone.

Pam Childs, Secretary of the Bexley and Dartford branch of Parkinson’s UK, said: We invited Alan Bullion to sign our petition, so we could tell him what we wanted him to do for Parkinson’s if he got elected, and in particular about helping us get Parkinson’s nurses for the 1,000 people in West Kent who are currently missing out.

Alan Bullion said: “I have signed the petition for more Parkinson’s nurses in the West Kent PCT. If I’m elected, I will do everything in my power to make sure people affected by Parkinson’s have all the support they need.”

For information and support call the Parkinson’s UK free confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303 or visit parkinsons.org.uk.

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Comments

It is certainly a shocking ratio. I'd like to know how this compares with other resources in this area, are there other shocking ratios that the public are unaware of? Does anyone have any stats/stories to share on this?

Holly

By hollyboo at 07:30 on 03/04/10
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Hi Holly, yes, I think it is indeed a high priority when you only have one dedicated nurse for 1,300 people across the whole of the West Kent area. Alan

By biodiesel1 at 00:25 on 03/04/10
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Hi Alan,

This is certainly an important and admirable cause to take up, but is it a top priority when all NHS services are stretched and Parkinson's affects relatively few people? I'm not being provocative for the sake of it, I'd genuinely like to know how this sits on the scale in terms of need? Are there other groups that are also in dire need of more resources?

Thanks,
Holly

By hollyboo at 19:41 on 02/04/10
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