Nowra local Tamie Harvie has joined Parkinson's NSW as the new Parkinson's Specialist Nurse for the Shoalhaven region.
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A Registered Nurse, Tamie brings to the Shoalhaven role 21 years of nursing experience spanning complex care, acute care, emergency, pathology, and palliative care - she has a particularly strong background in mental health care.
"I joined Parkinson's NSW because this role offers me a unique opportunity to help people in the Shoalhaven community along their Parkinson's journey," Tamie said.
"It allows me to bring just about all of my nursing experience to bear, offering personalised care - and the opportunity to be part of something really positive for this region.
"Having worked for NSW Health so long in the area, I also bring with me a network of relationships with hospitals, consultant physicians and diagnosticians."
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Tamie's role as the local Parkinson's Specialist Nurse is to provide specialised support for people living with Parkinson's, their caregivers and family members.
She will work with patients to develop individualised nursing care plans that support the unique challenges faced when living with Parkinsons and provide evidence-based health education in relation to living well with Parkinson's.
The role includes visiting and liaising with local Parkinson's Support Groups, with local GPs, clinics, hospitals, and aged care facilities and facilitating referrals to local and regional specialists.
Parkinson's is a progressive, degenerative condition of the central nervous system.
Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson's.
Parkinson's symptoms include tremors, slow movement, stiffness, and loss of balance. Also, fatigue, apathy, depression, disturbed sleep, loss of sense of smell, and issues with speech and swallowing.
Symptoms can be managed with medication, exercise and other forms of therapy and support.
However, as yet there is no cure.
Parkinson's NSW is a for-purpose organisation striving to make life better for people living with Parkinson's, their families, and carers.
It provides essential services such as counselling, support groups, an InfoLine supported by Parkinson's Registered Nurses, education, NDIS advocacy, support coordination and fundraising for service delivery.
Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by Parkinson's.
For more information freecall 1800 644 189, email pnsw@parkinsonsnsw.org.au or go to the website www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au
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