People living with Parkinson’s disease in Port Macquarie, Kempsey and surrounding communities recently welcomed Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse Jody Lloyd.

She replaces Specialist Nurse Rachael Mackinnon who has relocated to Sydney and now works in the role of Clinical Lead for Parkinson’s NSW.

Jody is a nurse with advanced education and more than a decade of experience spanning roles in both Australia and the UK. She has experience in Parkinson’s, Aged Care, Cardiology, health education and evaluation of standards of care.

Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said, “Specialised neurological nurses are proven to have many benefits for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

Parkinson’s NSW CEO Jo-Anne Reeves said the jointly funded, LHD-based Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse model had already been proven to deliver benefits for people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

“This model permits the Specialist Nurses to work across a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, patient’s homes and Aged Care facilities,” she said. “There is also evidence that this model of care helps to reduce the sense of isolation many people with Parkinson’s experience, along with the high rates of depression and anxiety associated with the disease.”

“Where communities have access to a Specialist Nurse, carers, and family members also show significant improvements in their own well-being, with reduced levels of depression,” she said.