EVERY Parkinson's Disease patient in Wales will be able to see a nurse specialising in the condition by 2015 if a new campaign is successful.

And the initiative, launched by the charity Parkinson's UK, is being backed by Newport patients.  Currently, access to parkinson's Disease nurses in the Aneurin Bevan Health Board area depends on where a patients lives and who their specialist is - but the the charity wants to see an increase is such nurses so no-one misses out on the expert, long term care they provide.

It wants Parkinson's patients in Wales to write to their Assembly Member explaining why the nurses are so important.  One-in-five patients across the UK cannot get full access to a Parkinson's nurse.  In Gwent, there is only one Parkinson's nurse per 1,123 people living with the condition, more than three times the recommended ratio of 300 patients per nurse.

The chairty argues that with such large caseloads the level of service that Parkinson's nurses - who help manage medication and offer advice, information and emotional support to anybody affected by the condition - can provide is limited .

Patient Jenni McCabe, from Newport, believes her access to a Parkinson's nurse has maximised her wellbeing and mobility in the 10 years since her diagnosis.

"She has been a constant support. The continuity of seeing her over a prolonged period means she knows me and my issues very well," she said.

Mike Backhouse, also from Newport, does not have access to a Parkinson's nurse.  "Having the regular support of a specialist nurse would make a huge difference and help me to live a more normal life," he said.

Parkinson's UK says specialist nurses save the NHS money by driving down demand for consultant appointments, decreasing unexpected hospital admissions, and shortening hospital stays.

For campaign details, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk/walescampaigning