Should you require an appointment for review by the Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist, please see the Contact Us section to find your local Parkinson’s Nurse specialist and contact number.
The Parkinson's Nursing Team within Coventry and Warwickshire comprises six Parkinson's Nurse Specialists. One is based at University Hospital Coventry, two are based in the community in Coventry and three are based in the community in Warwickshire (North Warwickshire, Central Warwickshire & Rugby, South Warwickshire).
They work as part of a wider team of health and social care professionals, including District nurses, Community Matrons, GPs, Social Workers, Allied Health Care Professionals and Palliative Care Teams.
How the Parkinson's Nurses can help
The Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist cares for patients and their carers who are affected by the condition. They can assist people with Parkinson's and their carers to improve quality of life by linking them to the appropriate care services and therapies. Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists can liaise with the GP, the consultant and any other health care professional regarding a person's individual needs.
The Parkinson’s Nurse may advise people on adjustment of medication following discussion with medical colleagues. They provide information on Parkinson’s and useful networks. They increase awareness of Parkinson’s through education and training of fellow professionals.
The Parkinson’s Nurses provide a limited telephone helpline and can see people in nurse-led clinics, unless housebound in which case home visits will be offered. They also work alongside Parkinson’s consultants in hospital outpatient clinics.
They cannot act as an emergency service and do not adjust medication without discussion with a Consultant. They cannot arrange hospital admission or change patient outpatient appointments.
What happens if I am admitted to hospital?
If you are admitted to hospital for any reason, please (where possible) make sure you take a list of your medication, including the doses and the times you take your tablets, to the hospital with you. Also remember to take your medication into hospital with you.
Please let the ward staff know that you have a Parkinsonian condition (eg Parkinson’s, MSA, PSP and so on). If you are a patient at University Hospital Coventry or Hospital of St Cross, Rugby, the hospital Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist (Hannah Martin) can review you if needed when on the ward. Please ask the nursing staff, or a relative, to let her know you are in hospital. Please see the Contact Us page for Hannah’s telephone number.
If you are coming into hospital for an operation or day case procedure, you may find this leaflet helpful: ‘Information for people with Parkinson’s coming in to hospital for surgery’ (pdf) (opens in new window) .
For more general information about being admitted to hospital with Parkinson’s please visit the Parkinson’s UK website (opens in new window) .
The Coventry & Warwickshire Regional Parkinson’s Service was Highly Commended at the inaugural Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network Awards in 2017. The service was recognised for “improving the care pathway for people with Parkinson’s from diagnosis right through to end of life”. The judging panel also commented on the Parkinson’s Service’s work in anticipatory care, remarking that its guidance on symptoms that people with Parkinson’s should look for as their condition worsens is a “notable initiative”.
Coventry Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist Jodie Cooke won the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award at the 2015 Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist Association annual conference.
Hannah Martin, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist at UHCW, was nominated for Outstanding Service and Care Awards at UHCW NHS Trust in 2014 & 2015 and has been highly commended for achieving “Innovation and Service Development”.
The Warwickshire Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists, Anita Hallett and Anna Blagg (Parkinson’s nurse from 2010-2017), were the winners of the 2011 'Woods Nursing Team of the Year Award'.
Updated 30 January 2018
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