PARKINSON’s disease patients are set to benefit from a specialist nurse for the first time, after years of campaigning to fund the post in East Lancashire.

Lynne Harrison, a nurse for nearly 20 years, has this week set up her base at the St Peter’s Centre in Burnley, and will be running clinics and visiting patients at home.

She will be aiming to help East Lancashire catch-up with developments in care for Parkinson’s patients, as it was one of only 12 areas in the country not to have a dedicated nurse specialist.

The position has been funded on a two-year trial basis, thanks to a £90,000 grant from the Freemasons, in the hope that East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group will continue the funding from thereon.

Lynne, 53, who used to work at East Lancashire Hospice, said: “There has been a desperate need for this role and we should now be able to provide a much more robust service. I’m really looking forward to it and hope it will continue after the two years.”

One of her main objectives will be relieving pressure on GPs and emergency department staff, by enabling patients to be seen more regularly for assessments, medication changes and referrals.

She said: “There’s about 1,000 patients in East Lancashire with Parkinson’s and it’s very difficult at the moment for a physical person to actually see them, and the doctors can’t always afford patients enough time when they do.”

Although she has not specialised in Parkinson’s care before, she has started a training programme with Parkinson’s UK to develop her expertise.

Marion Rogers, regional manager for Parkinson’s UK in the north west, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to announce the funding of a new specialist nurse in East Lancashire. It is wonderful that the Freemasons’ Grand Charity is supporting our work.

Lynne will serve patients in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and Ribble Valley.

Patients in Blackburn with Darwen will still have to rely on the Preston-based specialist.