TRUST WELCOMES NEW PARKINSON’S DISEASE PRACTITIONER

By Island Echo
12 August 2016

A highly experienced Parkinson’s Disease Practitioner has recently taken up post at St Mary’s Hospital.

Sheena Morgan will be delivering care to patients across the Island and supporting them to live well with the disease, from the point of diagnosis to helping them to maintain their health through developing self-care techniques. Sheena will also be providing expert care and guidance to those in need of palliative and end of life care.

Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, causing involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body (tremor), slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles. A person with Parkinson’s disease can also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms, including depression and anxiety, balance problems, memory loss and difficulty sleeping.

Sheena is an experienced and knowledgeable nurse in this specialty, having previously worked as a Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist for the past 11 years in the New Forest area. Speaking about her new role, Sheena, said:

“It has been a very busy and exciting time establishing the service and getting to know the Island and I am looking forward to meeting more patients and their families over the coming weeks.

“There are approximately 400 people on the Island who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and clinics are being held at St Mary’s Hospital and soon to be held in the South and West Wight areas too. However, patients who are particularly poorly with urgent clinical needs are being prioritised and invited to attend a clinic. I will endeavour to see all Parkinson’s patients over the coming months.”

Sheena will not only be supporting patients and their families but also sharing her knowledge and expertise with other nursing colleagues across the Trust and working closely with the local Parkinson’s Support Group to continue to develop the service and improve the care for patients.

Alan Sheward, IoW NHS Trust Executive Director of Nursing, said:

“This is an exciting development for the Parkinson’s service on the Island and one which will really help us to improve the care we give and the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s Disease.”

http://www.islandecho.co.uk/news/trust-welcomes-new-parkinsons-disease-practitioner