NORTH AYRSHIRE Health and Social Care Partnership Media Information Parkinson’s disease services Statement by Stephen Brown, Interim Director North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership NHS Ayrshire & Arran has approximately 650 people across Ayrshire with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. We currently employ one consultant geriatrician with an interest in Parkinson’s and two Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists. Due to an increase in the number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s and a difficulty recruiting consultants with an interest in movement disorder, we are experiencing pressures on the service. Despite this, all new referrals have been seen within the 18- week waiting time target. We are working with Parkinson’s UK, patients, carers and staff to carry out reviews and implement the following changes to ensure we are providing the best possible service for patients: Improving the administration support and processes to enable medical staff to spend more time with patients. Reviewing and increasing the number of multi-disciplinary clinics for people with Parkinson’s disease, including regular clinics at Biggart Hospital, Girvan Community Hospital, Kirklandside, Hospital, East Ayrshire Community Hospital, Ayrshire Central Hospital and Arran War Memorial Hospital. NORTH AYRSHIRE Health and Social Care Partnership Media Information Providing a service for patients to speak to Parkinson’s Specialist Nurses whenever they have questions or difficulties and for nurses to see them at their homes or in clinics. We are continuing to develop our multi-disciplinary teams and dedicated medical time to ensure that the service fully meets patient needs now and in the future. Ends Date of release: Friday 16 June 2017 For further media enquiries about this topic, please contact: Vhairi Slaven Communications Assistant NHS Ayrshire & Arran University Hospital Crosshouse Kilmarnock KA2 0BB Telephone: 01563 826110 Out-of-hours: 07769 648975 [email protected] www.nhsaaa.net Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhsaaa Follow us on Twitter @NHSaaa .