Large Turnout to Hear About Parkinsons

Wincanton Patient Participation Group held another successful Health Information Evening entitled "Living with Parkinson's" at Wincanton Memorial Hall on Monday 13th September. Over 70 people attended to listen to and ask questions to three invited guest speakers who together offered a vast range of knowledge and experience of dealing with the disease.

The first speaker was Parkinson's Speciality Nurse Ruth Goodland from Yeovil District Hospital. She spoke from six years of working experience and gave a very informative description of her role and responsibilities. She described what help is available to patients, carers, and relatives. She also detailed the location and numbers of clinics together with the consultants and speciality doctors now involved. The audience were given very specific details of the services available and how to access them.

The second speaker was Dr Kristina Baker, Speciality Doctor from the Queensway Unit at YDH who has more than 15 years experience of working with the disease. In a most interesting presentation she described how difficult it is to diagnose Parkinson's and how the symptoms can vary from patient to patient. She explained what they look for and how they differentiate between the various forms of the disease.

Dr Baker then went on to explain what drugs are available to control the disease. She also explained what other services are available to help and control its effect on the body such as physiotherapy together with speech and occupational therapy. She concluded by describing what research is being carried out in the search for a cure.

Finally Jayne Dunn, South West Information and Support Manager for Parkinson's UK told the audience how the charity can help. The charity offers help and assistance from advice to patients right through to funding research projects seeking a cure. She offered a range of information in both handouts and videos, even offering advice on how to tell close relatives of the disease and "how to find a good residential home" should the need arise.

The evening ended with a Question+Answer session together with refreshments.

PPG member and Parkinson's sufferer Stephen Beech invited all to a "Tea + Chat" session at the Wincanton Memorial Hall on Wednesday 22nd September at 2.00pm with the aim of setting up a local Parkinson's Support Group.

Comments

julie
Posts: 1

Music Therapy
Reply #1 on : Tue October 05, 2010, 21:05:48

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Dear Stephen, I was interested to read your article on Parkinson's and the lack of support out there. Well done for such a great meeting in September, I would have been there is I'd known.

I am, at present working as a music therapist with people with dementia and also Parkinsons and would be interested to know whether you have considered music therapy. There has been a lot of research done into music therapy and parkinsons at the Royal Neuro-disability hospital in London by Dr Wendy Magee who is a specialist music therapist in Neurology there. They have a great programme for people with parkinsons, and although I must say that I have not got their experience and all the medical backing and funding I am interested and keen to offer support and information if this interests you.

All the best
Julie

Steve Beech
Posts: 1

Parkinson's and Music Therapy
Reply #2 on : Tue October 26, 2010, 16:30:03

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Julie may I first of all say I am so sorry for the delay in replying to your enrty headed MUSIC THERAPY of the 5th Oct. This was due to unforseen circumstances.
I read with interest your kind comments and I would like to talk with you deeper into this matter. To this end could you send me an email of your details. so I can contact you direct.
My email add is beech475@btinternet.com
Thanking you in anticipation Steve Beech
Wishing you all the best.

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