Parkinson’s Ireland Welcomes Dáil Recognition of the Need for More Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists

Parkinson’s Ireland would like to thank Eoghan Kenny for raising the important role of Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists (PNSs) in the Dáil on International Nurses Day.

Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists play a vital role in supporting people living with Parkinson’s and their families, providing expert care, education, symptom management and ongoing support throughout every stage of the condition. However, access to these essential services remains far below what is needed nationwide.

Under the 2016 NICE guidelines, Ireland should have 60 Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists in place to meet demand. Currently, there are just 25 nationwide, including 2 specialist nurses provided directly by Parkinson’s Ireland.

The shortage of specialist nursing support is reflected in the findings of the 2024 UCC Audit for Movement Disorders, which found that only 57% of people living with Parkinson’s in Ireland reported having access to a Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist. In comparison, approximately 95% of people living with Parkinson’s in the UK have access to specialist nursing support.

Parkinson’s Ireland continues to advocate for increased investment in Parkinson’s services, including the recruitment of additional Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists across the country, to ensure equitable access to care for everyone living with Parkinson’s.

On International Nurses Day, we also want to recognise and thank all nurses working across Parkinson’s care for their dedication, compassion and commitment to improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s every day.