Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists (PDNS)Pages

Ireland now has five Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists working in the capacity of PDNS within the HSE system:

• Mags Richardson, working from the Regional Hospital in Limerick
• Heather Kevelighan, working in St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin
• Brian Magennis, working in the Mater Hospital in Dublin
• Patrick Browne working in University College Hospital in Galway.
• Nicola Kavanagh, working in AMNCH, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin
   

• Alison Cashell, working with Parkinson's Assoc of Ireland as their PDNS.

Alison works from our national office and she will provide a call back service where necessary for calls received on our freephone helpline. Alison can be contacted by email nurse@parkinsons.ie or via the helpline 1800 359359. From time-to-time Alison will also be available to meet people in the Carmichael Centre. Alison is also available to attend Branch meetings with prior notice.

Mags Richardson, who works 50% of her time in the community, including home visits, has seen the advantages of spending time with patients in their own homes, and we would like to see enough PDNS to ensure that all patients with Parkinson's could avail of this service.

Brian tells us that he is running a PDNS Clinic, at which he can have more time with, for instance, a patient who may be newly diagnosed and in need of detailed explanation/reassurance in a quieter atmosphere. He has recenlty started a family clinic, where all members of the family can meet and ask questions.

In both instances, time, a quiet atmosphere and plenty of opportunity to ask questions! The question of funding for these positions is a thorny one, as some are fully funded by their HSE, some partially, some privately, either through donations or pharmaceutical funding.

Follow Us