Members of the Waterford branch of the Parkinson's Association of Ireland will take part in a protest at Leinster House later today calling for improved services.
Branches from across the country are staging a demostration to highlight the lack of specialist nurses available nationwide and to call for the Association to be provided with government funding.
A letter and petition will be handed to Minister for Health, Simon Harris.
The demonstration takes place at 2pm.
Parkinson's Association members and their families are appealing to the Minister for Health to commit to:
1. A Nationwide Parkinson's Nurse Specialist service - Of the current five Parkinson's Nurse Specialist posts, one is vacant, another part time and one is funded by the Parkinson's Association. Whole regions of the country have no access to a Nurse Specialist
2. Funding for the Parkinson's Association
3. Surgery in Ireland and a date for its commencement. At present Parkinson's patients have to travel abroad for Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological disorder. There is no cure. It is normally treated with drugs. Deep Brain Stimulation surgery can alleviate symptoms.
