New information packs for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are being made available free of charge by the Department of Health and Social Care thanks to the generous support of the Parkinson’s Disease Society Isle of Man.
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that affects the body’s motor system, usually leading to tremors, slowness of movement, and muscle stiffness. Around 1 in 500 people will develop Parkinson’s and it is more common amongst those aged over 50. There is currently no cure, but a range of medicines and treatments are available to manage the symptoms.
The packs come with a wealth of information with the aim of providing additional support for patients and their loved ones. As well as general information from Parkinson’s UK including leaflets and a DVD, the pack includes details of the care available in the Isle of Man.
Susan Dunajewski, Senior Nurse for Practice Development, is a member of the DHSC’s Parkinson’s Service Development Group, which has helped lead the development of the new information packs. She said:
'Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – like many long-term conditions – can be a daunting experience. People understandably have a lot of questions and worries. We want all of our patients to have quick, accurate and up to date access to information about Parkinson’s and the care available to them here on the Island.'
Dr John Thomas, Consultant Physician with a special interest in stroke and movement disorders, said:
'Our packs go step by step, covering every aspect of care from pharmacist and GP, through to access to social workers, therapists, hospital specialists, information about benefits and local and national charities.'
Susan Lawley, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist, said:
'We are always looking for ways to improve the care and support we’re able to provide patients and their families. The whole team hopes these new packs will serve as a valuable and helpful resource, helping people to come to terms with the condition and begin to focus their efforts on taking control and maintaining a good quality of life.'
As well as information for patients, specialist packs are also being made available in clinical areas which will serve as a handy one-stop resource to ensure clinicians can fully support those with Parkinson’s. Both packs are part of efforts to improve services for people with Parkinson’s as a result of patient feedback and recommendations from both an audit of services on the Island and the external peer review by the West Midlands Quality Review Service.
