Parkinson's sufferers demand more nursing resources

The Government is being urged to make core funding available in Budget 2019 for the Parkinson's Association of Ireland (PAI) to improve services to some 12,000 sufferers nationwide. The call by Monaghan Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin comes during Parkinson's Awarness Week, which runs from Monday, April 9 to Sunday, April 15.
Recently, the Sinn Fein TD, who is also the party's spokesperson on Disability Rights and Older People met with Parkinson's sufferers and their families who were campaigning for greater resources outside Dáil Eireann.
Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological disease for which there is currently no cure. "What is needed and is being called for is a whole of country network of Parkinson’s nurse specialists. It is a proven model of care that works.
“I encourage the government to take on board these suggestions as they plot out Budget 2019 and I again wish every success to the Parkinson’s community with the events they have planned over this week and into the future. I add a personal note of good wishes to my friends both here at home in Cavan and Monaghan and across the country who are living with Parkinsons,” said Deputy Ó Caoláin.
A petition signed by 11,000 people calling for a nationwide network of nurse specialists for people with Parkinson’s disease was presented to the Minister for Older People, Helen McEntee, following the recent protest at Leinster House.
Currently, 12,000 people in the country with Parkinson’s have access to just four nurses — there are five posts, but one is vacant. The National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions guidelines state there should be one Parkinson’s nurse specialist for every 300 patients, putting Ireland way below the recommended number.
Parkinson’s Association CEO Paula Gilmore has also criticised the lack of direct Government funding for the association and the unavailability of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a treatment for the condition only available to patients who travel abroad.