What causes Parkinsons?

What are the signs and symptoms?

How many people have Parkinson's?

What age do people get Parkinson's?

The Southampton City Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist Update Summer 2009.

Southampton City PCT Parkinson’s disease Self Management Education Programme.

This programme has been running now for three years and is aimed at patient’s with a relatively recent diagnosis of PD (within the last five years). The programme runs over seven weeks and uses direct teaching, group work and participation to help people with PD and their carer/spouse to understand more about PD, the treatments and therapies used to manage it, along with local services and support groups. All relevant patients can book a place on the programme through contacting Vicky Queen, PDNS.

Southampton City PCT PDNS Telephone Clinic.

The telephone clinic was set up by Vicky Queen, PDNS in 2007 and aimed to provide responsive and timely follow up appointments for patients who had been seen at least once in a clinic/home visit. The telephone clinic has improved response times and is being audited in July 2009, so watch this space for the full report of this service.

Forthcoming services/projects

Relaxation for stress management in PD project.

This proposed project is to be run by Diane Barnes, community OT, with the support of Vicky Queen, PDNS. The project aims to provide group relaxation, based upon the latest evidence of effective techniques to enable people with PD to manage stress, which may exacerbate symptoms such as tremor.

Pilot of Self Assessment Questionnaire for people with PD

This is a joint project between the Parkinson’s Disease Society, Healthy Alliance and the Cure Parkinson’s trust to enable people with PD to self assess their symptoms. Vicky Queen, PDNS has been part of the pilot group (one of three pilot areas in the UK) and will be looking for volunteer patients to trial the questionnaire this summer. If you want to volunteer to try the self assessment tool contact Vicky PDNS.

Southampton PDS PD Exercise Group.

The PD exercise group was originally set up in 2006 through grant obtained by Vicky Queen, PDNS. Since then it has continues to develop and is becoming increasingly popular. It is run by Mary Shorter, Chair of the Southampton PDS and the group is instructed by Senior Physiotherapist Jean Hunter. All patients are required to book their own place on the programme through contacting Vicky Queen, PDNS or Mary Shorter on 02380 449652.