I think I have Parkinson’s – Who do I go and see?

If you or your GP thinks that you may have Parkinsons, your GP will refer you to the hospital by writing a letter to the neurologist. You will get a letter inviting you to call and book an appointment.

Hospital consultant-led clinics

Consultant-led clinics are held in all the acute hospitals in the county. The clinics see new referrals to the Movement Disorder and Parkinson’s service, as well as ongoing follow up of people with Parkinsonian conditions. The team also runs a specialist Apomorphine and Duodopa service for patients requiring non-oral therapies.

University Hospital – Coventry

Dr Lucy Strens, Consultant Neurologist.

Dr Andrea Lindahl, Consultant Neurologist.

Dr Lara Teare, Consultant Neurologist.

Dr Amrit-Deep Samra, Consultant Neurologist

Hannah Martin, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Parkinson’s

Bonita Bateman, Hospital Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist.

Anne Sage, Coventry and Warwickshire 0344 225 3762

6 clinics per month

Hospital of St Cross – Rugby

Four clinics per month (Dr Strens, Dr Lindahl)

The Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist cares for patients and their carers who are affected by the condition. They help people with Parkinson’s and their carers improve their quality of life by linking them to the appropriate care services and therapies. Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists can liaise with the GP, the consultant and any other health care professional regarding a person’s individual needs.

The Parkinson’s Nurse may advise people on adjustment of medication following discussion with medical colleagues. They provide information on Parkinson’s and useful networks. They increase awareness of Parkinson’s through education and training of fellow professionals.

Community nurse-led clinics

Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists also run nurse-led community Parkinson’s clinics in many areas around the region, including: Coventry, Rugby, Polesworth, Bedworth, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Southam, Shipston, Alcester, Leamington and Kenilworth.

TThe Community Parkinson’s Nurses provide a limited telephone helpline service and can see people in nurse-led clinics, unless housebound in which case home visits will be offered. They also work alongside Parkinson’s consultants in hospital outpatient clinics. They cannot act as an emergency service and do not adjust medication without discussion with a Consultant. They cannot arrange hospital admission or change patient outpatient appointments.

 Hospital nurse-led clinics

Nurse-led hospital clinics are held both at University Hospital Coventry and at the Hospital of St Cross Rugby . These clinics are for:

  • One-off appointments for people newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s
  • Monitoring clinics for people who are being considered for, or who are already on, non-oral Parkinson’s therapies (Apomorphine and Duodopa)
  • People recently discharged from hospital where required

You will soon become familiar with who is looking after your care, and you may also be referred to other healthcare professionals, who can help out with day to day tasks physically, mentally, and practically.

They are there to help, so make sure that when you go to see them you take a list of questions about the things that have worried you or changed since you last went to see them. It is really useful for them to know what has been happening so that they can try to get your treatments to suit you and make your life as easy as possible.