Pioneering rapid response therapy service introduced for patients with Parkinson's Disease
A brand-new rapid response therapy service, which aims to reduce the length of stay in hospital and improve patient experience for people living with Parkinson's disease, is now in place at UHDB.
The service, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the country, will see a new Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist join existing colleagues in the Derby Parkinson's Service (at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital), which has been accredited as a Parkinson's Foundation Centre of Excellence, to provide additional care for patients in our hospitals and in the community.
The roles, which have been taken up by Beth Denney and Sophie Voyce, have been funded by the charity Parkinson's UK, following a successful bid for the posts which will be funded for a two-year term.
For some patients this will involve the team liaising with relevant services who are supporting newly discharged patients to try to reduce the chance of readmission. They will also be involved in trying to reduce length of stay for hospitalised patients with Parkinson's, liaising with staff to ensure medication is being given on time, offering advice or joint therapy sessions, and ensuring ward staff understand how fluctuations in mobility and non-motor symptoms can occur in Parkinson's, which can lead to increased length of stay.
The team will also work with colleagues in our A&E departments to prevent falls that could lead to attendances and admissions.
Fiona Lindop MBE, Specialist Parkinson's Physiotherapist at the Parkinson's Outpatient Clinic, was instrumental in making the bid for these roles and said she believes they will make an 'absolutely massive difference' to both colleagues and patients:
"This new service provides us with a great opportunity to bridge the gap between acute trusts and the community and the beauty of it is that the team will reach more patients both in our hospitals and the wider community, while also benefitting colleagues by offering them additional support and education around Parkinson's disease."
Reflecting on her new role, Beth said she is hopeful the team can reduce the length of stay for patients by empowering them to exercise more, as well as being able to respond to more patients in the community.
She said: "We will be able to offer a rapid in-reach and outreach service for people with Parkinsons disease which will mean more timely access to treatments and therapies that will help to manage their condition. We know that people with Parkinson’s tend to stay in hospital longer for many reasons, including falls and fractures, as well as hospital acquired de-conditioning or patients that need additional support when they are discharged.
"We know that exercise for patients is vital in managing symptoms so by getting them to be more active during their hospital stay and continuing their exercise will help to give patients back their most valuable commodity, which is time."
The service will allow colleagues to work collaboratively with both inpatient and community colleagues to strengthen links and facilitate access to the expertise of the whole multi-disciplinary Parkinson's team. Other benefits of the service include reduced hospital admissions and a more accessible and closer service for patients in Burton and reduced costs to the Trust.
Sophie Voyce is the Occupational Therapist within the team and is also keen to empower patients to live well with Parkinson’s and hopes this new service will enable them to do so.
She said: "Supporting patients, their families and carers is a huge part of my role and something I really enjoy. Giving my colleagues the best training and the latest advice on Parkinson's is something I am looking forward to, as this can be hugely beneficial to the patient's whole journey, especially regarding the cognitive and often 'invisible' symptoms.
"My hope is that, in doing so, we can reduce length of stay for patients, and ensure they have access to all they need in the community to reduce their chances of admission in the first place."