'More help is needed' for Moray Parkinson's sufferers, says widow
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A WIDOW is claiming there is a lack of resources for people with Parkinson's Disease in Moray.
Les Jones passed away in hospital on July 8, having first being diagnosed with the medical condition in 2008.
Enid, his widow, who stays at Bogmoor, states his last months were more traumatic than they should have been.
The 81-year-old states there is only one nurse in the region to cater for about 200 people living with Parkinson's.
On top of that heavy workload, the same nurse has also been given the task of dealing with patients with another serious medical condition, Huntington's Disease.
Enid said: "The poor woman does her very best but she is completely rushed off her feet.
"NHS Grampian in Aberdeen needs to get their act together and provide much more help."
Having previously lived in Garmouth, the Jones moved down south for a spell.
The couple returned to Moray in 2017 to be near their son.
Enid, who worked as a nurse for over 20 years, claims the resources available in Moray compare very unfavourably to those provided by NHS Trust where they lived in England.
She said: "There you could see a consultant twice a year while one of their nurses was always available to talk to.
"Added to that, the health trust also ran a weekly group where you could chat with people who had the condition as well as their partners and families."
By contrast, there are no consultants in Moray.
Meanwhile, the only local group is one organised by the public.
This used to meet every month at Elgin Free Church, but has not done so since the pandemic.
Enid said: "Parkinson's is a strange condition which can affect different people in very different ways.
"There were so many times when I wanted to ask for advice because my husband was getting confused or was having various problems.
"However, that was hardly ever possible.
"I can't complain about the Moray Council carers.
"They don't get paid very much but they were absolutely marvellous.
"I couldn't have coped without them and I want to thank them all.
"However, the medical resources for people with Parkinson's in Moray are completely inadequate."
A spokesperson for NHS Grampian said that the current provision for Parkinson's patients is within national guidelines.
They continued: “We cannot comment on individual patient cases, but would strongly encourage Ms Jones to contact us regarding any concerns.
“When direct contact is made with us, we are more than willing to discuss cases with those involved – including diagnosis, treatment and any further care.
“In Moray there are approximately 210 patients living with Parkinsons Disease – national guidelines advise there should be one nurse per 250 patients in rural areas.
“Guidelines also suggest two contacts per year per patient. We provide this as a minimum in Moray and where needed additional contacts are provided to patients as needed."
