'Major milestone' as new appointment made in Mayo
Laura Niepage, who previously worked with the NHS, has taken up the role of Parkinson’s nurse specialist, which is the first community based Parkinson’s nurse specialist post created in the county.
Parkinson’s Ireland has announced the appointment of a new Parkinson’s nurse specialist in Mayo.
Laura Niepage, who previously worked with the NHS, has taken up the role of Parkinson’s nurse specialist, which is the first community based Parkinson’s nurse specialist post created in the county. The service will operate from Ballina Primary Care Centre and will be available to people living with Parkinson’s disease across Mayo.
It is estimated that approximately 18,000 people are living with Parkinson’s disease in Ireland, a figure expected to double by 2040.
The CEO of Parkinson’s Ireland, Shane O’Brien, commented:
“We are delighted to provide people with Parkinson’s and their care partners with free access to a dedicated Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist. Laura is a fantastic asset to our organisation and brings extensive experience and compassion to her role. This service will be a vital point of support between consultant appointments, helping people to manage a complex neurological condition more effectively.
"We would also like to pay tribute to our Mayo branch, whose volunteers continue to deliver vital community services such as physiotherapy and social gatherings. Finally, we would like to thank the HSE for making a consultation room available to us in the Ballina Primary Care Centre.”
Chairperson of Parkinson’s Ireland Mayo Branch, Caroline McLoughlin, said the appointment marks a major milestone for the area.
“This is a significant achievement for Mayo. As a branch of Parkinson’s Ireland, we have helped secure a nurse specialist who will provide vital local support to patients and families, reducing travel and improving access to specialist care. Securing this role has been hugely important for people in Mayo. Our branch has worked hard to ensure that specialist care is available closer to home when it is needed most. This appointment will make a real and lasting difference in our community. We see first-hand the impact specialist nursing care has on patients and families, and we are delighted that this essential support is now available locally. We are proud to have worked with our CEO Shane O’Brien to help make this a reality for our members.”
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that primarily affects mobility. Its progression varies from person to person, with many able to manage symptoms effectively with medication for many years. There are more than 40 recognised symptoms associated with the condition, making specialist support vital for those living with Parkinson’s and their families.
The service in Ballina is provided free of charge and is available by appointment only. Appointments can be requested by calling 1800 359 359 or by emailing nurse@parkinsons.ie.
