As a means of raising awareness about the disease, Shepparton Private Hospital nurse practitioner Sheree Ambrosini and Dr Arup Bhattacharya met GPs from across the region during the day, followed by a general practitioner education session in the evening at FIX Muscle Performance in Shepparton.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition in which a neurotransmitter called dopamine is not produced at adequate levels in the brain.
Dopamine is vital for the smooth control of muscles and movement and when affected, a person may have a number of symptoms, including tremors or shaking, muscle rigidity or stiffness, slowing of movement, stooped posture or balance problems.
Dr Bhattacharya said today’s research was still based on the seminal essay written by James Parkinson in 1817 known as An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.
‘‘We still base our knowledge primarily on his description of the patients that he saw, so it is really worthwhile for us to commemorate his description of the disease,’’ he said.
Dr Bhattacharya said people were becoming more aware of the disease However, there remained no cure and it continued to not be recognised as a ‘‘national health priority area’’.
‘‘There is a concerted effort now for the government’s of the day to recognise Parkinson’s as a national health priority area for which then there will be increased funding into medications, treatment, research, education and support,’’ he said.
Dr Bhattacharya said the events during Parkinson’s Awareness Week were important for raising local knowledge and education in current management and best practices for the disease.
‘‘Sometimes the early signs of Parkinson’s can be quite subtle and sometimes the GPs are not so sure,’’ he said.
Ms Ambrosini said GPs were an important part of sustained health care for patients.
‘‘Patients will see them when they’re not coming to see us so having that contact allows them to put a face to the name.’’
Dedicated to bettering the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease in the local area, Ms Ambrosini and Dr Bhattacharya have established a private clinic at Shepparton Private Hospital.
Dr Bhattacharya is leading an in-patient program involving rehabilitation which began at the start of this year.
Ms Ambrosini supports this program and has also been visiting out-patients in their homes across the region for the past six months.
‘‘The patients have been reporting huge benefits,’’ Dr Bhattacharya said.
Ms Ambrosini said the aim was to keep people healthy and at home with a more proactive and holistic care approach.
The team also welcomed physiotherapist Anna Lucchesi to the program in March.
‘‘Now we are able to provide comprehensive care and most facets of care that Parkinson’s patients need during their in-patient stay,’’ Dr Bhattacharya said.
Ms Ambrosini said they were also able to offer new technology to patients including the ‘Parkinson’s watch’, a wearable movement monitor which help manage and recognise symptoms as well as device-assisted therapies.
‘‘A lot of regional areas aren’t able to offer these, so our clients in the Hume region are quite privileged in that they don’t have to travel to bigger centres to get more advanced treatments,’’ she said.
Dr Bhattacharya is delighted to feel a sense of confidence and trust building between the team and patients who use the services.
‘‘In the past people have said we might be recognised as a centre of excellence for Parkinson’s,’’ he said.
‘‘We offer most devices, assisted therapies and advanced therapies which very few regional areas in Australia can offer.’’
For information on any of the Parkinson’s disease services offered by Shepparton Private Hospital, phone 58321393.
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