First Parkinson’s Champion for Western Isles

NHS Western Isles is delighted to announce that Lorna McGinnity, Social Care Worker at Trianaid Care Home on North Uist, has been announced as NHS Western Isles’ first Parkinson’s Champion.

The role of the Parkinson’s Champion is to ensure that services are constantly improving, and staff are continually working towards a better standard and understanding of the challenges faced by those living with Parkinson’s.

Angie Macleod, NHS Western Isles Neurology Clinical Nurse Specialist (Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis), is a regular visitor to Trianaid Care Home, delivering bespoke staff training on multifarious Parkinson related topics, and supporting staff to ensure they are delivering best practice.

During one of these training sessions, discussions took place with Marina MacLeod, Senior Social Care Worker at Trianaid Care Home, on the benefits of nominating a care staff member as a Parkinson’s Champion and offered Lorna the bespoke role.

Lorna, a native of North Uist, and who has been employed at Trianaid for 11 years, was keen to enhance her existing role, and had previously shown an interest in Parkinson’s Disease.

Lorna said: “I am looking forward to working more closely with Angie and being able to share information learned with my colleagues.  This will ensure that all residents within Trianaid have the right support, and I hope to be a positive influence and advocate for those living with Parkinson’s locally.” 

Angie agreed that joint working and training staff has had a positive impact on people in care homes with Parkinson’s.  

She said: “Parkinson's Disease, which is a condition that affects the brain, causes problems like shaking, slow movement and stiffness, which get worse over time.  Parkinson’s varies in how it affects people, which is why it is so important to have a better understanding, and I look forward to continuing joint working with Trianaid and other agencies.”

It is hoped to develop further Parkinson’s Champions across the Western Isles. For further information on becoming a Parkinson's Champion, please contact the Neurological Specialist Nursing Service, tel. 01851 763301 or email: wi.neurology@nhs.scot.