New Parkinson's Specialist Appointed to Support Patients and Carers in Goulburn, Yass and Crookwell

Media release Wendy Tuckerman's office 26/05/22

People living with Parkinson’s disease in the Goulburn region now have the support of Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse, Lauren Hogan.  

The appointment to this newly-created position was today announced by Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman, Brian Bonham, General Manager – Tablelands Network & General Manager – Monaro Network for Southern NSW Local Health District, and Jo-Anne Reeves, CEO of Parkinson’s NSW. 

Mrs Tuckerman said Ms Hogan is trained and experienced in the care of people living with the neurodegenerative condition and will support people in the Goulburn, Yass and Crookwell areas.  

“Specialised neurological nurses are proven to bring many benefits to people living with Parkinson’s and their families,” Mrs Tuckerman said.  

“The placement of a nurse assists with reducing the high rates of depression and anxiety commonly associated with Parkinson’s.”  

Lauren Hogan is a Goulburn local who has spent 13 years working at Goulburn Base Hospital; nine of those as a Registered Nurse. Her most recent role was Clinical Nurse Educator on the surgical ward. She has also had experience in nursing, assessment and planning for Parkinson’s patients, reduction in falls causing serious injury, working in multidisciplinary teams, and infection control.  

Parkinson’s NSW CEO Jo-Anne Reeves said the District-based Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse model had already proven to deliver benefits for people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers in other communities. 

“This model permits the Specialist Nurses to work across a number of settings, including hospitals, clinics, patient’s homes and Aged Care facilities,” she said. “There is also evidence that this model of care helps to reduce the sense of isolation many people with Parkinson’s  experience.”  

“Where communities have access to a Specialist Nurse, carers and family members also show significant improvements in their own well-being, with reduced levels of depression,” she said.  

Parkinson’s NSW, in partnership with Local Health Districts in NSW, currently co-manages neurological nurse positions in five regional areas: Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Shoalhaven, Tweed and Goulburn. A sixth position is also based at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital in Sydney. 

5 2022

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