Residents with Parkinson’s disease in Brent now have access to a community-based nurse specialist who will help them manage their condition effectively.

Laura Niepage, a Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist, has been assigned to the new service, which began in June.

Provided by London North West Healthcare (LNWH) NHS Trust, the service is funded by the Brent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

There are roughly 700 people living with Parkinson’s disease in Brent.

It is a condition in which neurons in a part of the brain become progressively damaged over many years and those with the disease can experience a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms.

The 27-year-old said: “Living with a neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson’s, can have a huge impact on the lives of everyone affected.

“With this new service individuals will get information, education and support for them and their families and friends about their condition. The aim is to retain their quality of life and their activities of daily living and to retain and regain confidence. We also aim to prevent admissions to hospital with assessments, individualised care plans and meet-ups in between consultant appointments.”

Ms Niepage spends much of her time working out in the community visiting patients in residential and care homes as well as GP practices and community clinics.

She also works with neurology teams based at Northwick Park Hospital, Central Middlesex Hospital and Charing Cross Hospitals.

Dr Ethie Kong, chairwoman of Brent CCG said: “The new community service uses skills across our local NHS to effectively care for and treat Parkinson’s disease.”

Dr Sophie Molloy, the Trust’s Parkinson’s lead, added: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Brent CCG to deliver better community care for patients with Parkinson’s disease and their carers.

“The appointment of a Brent based community Parkinson’s specialist nurse is expected to be in conjunction with improved services for all Parkinson’s patients attending the Trust’s hospital sites, regardless of the borough in which they live.”