Parkinson’s funding boost for services in western Victoria
Jun. 19, 2020
Fight Parkinson’s and local Peer Support Groups have welcomed new government funding for a pilot project that aims to give accessible, specialised care for people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders in the Great South Coast, Wimmera and Grampians regions.
The pilot will support four movement disorder nurses in Horsham, Warracknabeal, Stawell and Warrnambool, building local specialist knowledge in clinical support and providing care coordination.
The nurses will support people living with Parkinson’s and other complex movement disorders to better manage their condition, increase their access to referral pathways, treatments and therapies in order to deliver better health outcomes in the region.
Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) and Fight Parkinson’s received the Federal Government funding for the ‘Western Region Movement Disorder Better Care’ pilot ($1.69 million over four years).
WVPHN and Fight Parkinson’s applied for the funding in partnership with South West Healthcare, Wimmera Health Care Group, Rural Northwest Health and Grampians Community Health.
Fight Parkinson’s CEO Emma Colin welcomed the funding.
“We see enormous need to build the clinical capacity and specialist knowledge of movement disorders in rural and remote areas of western Victoria.
“Parkinson’s is a highly complex condition and access to specialist local advice will help people to better manage their condition and live well,” she said.
John McRoberts, Secretary of the Wimmera Parkinson’s Peer Support Group, said he had been advocating for several years to gain local support.
“Easy access to a movement disorder nurse will address the issue of mobility and cost, which can be difficult - even prohibitive - for some who need clinical support beyond a neurologist.
“To have a local trusted specialist will build continual care and provide confidence that you are getting the best care possible and that relieves a lot of stress.”
Bev Boag, recently retired Grampians Parkinson’s Support Group leader, said people in the region needed one-on-one timely advice from an expert to make sure their health stayed a good as it can.
“So many people will benefit from having better access to a movement disorder nurse. This funding will really boost the support here beyond the Parkinson’s Support group”
Andrew Suggett from Warrnambool Parkinson’s Support Group, has also been a strong advocate for better support.
“The placement of a specialist nurse in the area will be absolutely life changing for some of us here in Warrnambool.
“To have local help to answer queries and access services will give the support needed to live with Parkinson's day-to-day rather than to wait and travel to get support.”
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