A charity is seeking to raise millions of pounds to recruit more specialist nurses to address the unmet needs of people with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s UK has launched what it describes as its largest-ever fundraiser – the Nurse Appeal.
“Without a Parkinson’s nurse at their side, we know that many patients struggle to manage their condition”
Nick Bryden
It is aiming to raise £9m over the next three years to fund Parkinson’s nurses and other specialists.
The charity warned that currently, one in five people with Parkinson’s in the UK do not have access to a specialist Parkinson’s nurse.
In the run up to the appeal launch today, £4m of the £9m has already been secured through donations from institutions including Frank Brake Charitable Trust, the National Garden Scheme and Garfield Weston Foundation.
The public is now being asked to help with raising the remaining £5m.
The money will be used to fund new nurse posts as well as provide training and education for healthcare professionals.
In a video for the campaign, Nick Bryden, a Parkinson’s nurse in Ayrshire, Scotland, said: “I love my job and I know that it’s making a huge difference to people with Parkinson’s and those closest to them.
“But unfortunately, right now, there simply aren’t enough Parkinson’s nurses and healthcare professionals for everyone who needs one.
“Across the UK, over 38,000 people with Parkinson’s are currently missing out on the care they need to help them live their lives well.
“And without a Parkinson’s nurse at their side, we know that many patients struggle to manage their condition.”
The Nurse Appeal is being backed by actor Dougray Scott whose father had Parkinson’s disease.
Mr Scott said: “Parkinson’s is a degenerative and incurable neurological condition and people living with it, and their loved ones, rely on vital support from specialist nurses and other healthcare professionals.
“Sadly, that support simply isn’t available for thousands of people and that has to change.”
Like other charities, Parkinson’s UK uses its funds to support the creation of new specialist nurse posts and then the employer continues to fund the nurses once they are established.
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