The Movement Disorders Neurology Service is celebrating two years of providing specialised care to Mid North Coast residents living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders with fly-in services provided by Westmead Hospital specialists.
The service provides patients with a hybrid model of face-to-face and telemedicine appointments with specialist neurologists in either Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie.
It is a collaboration between Westmead Hospital in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), the NSW Rural Doctors Network and Parkinson’s NSW.
The Movement Disorder Specialists fly-in once a month, removing the need for patients to travel to Sydney for their treatment.
“That saves them the cost of traveling, [and eases] the carer burden of taking someone to an appointment in Sydney and their overnight stays,” Parkinson’s Clinical Nurse Consultant Vince Carroll said.
A key advocate for the service, Mr Carroll works closely with many patients with movement disorders on the Mid North Coast.
The service is led by renowned Westmead Hospital specialists and neurologists Dr Victor Fung and Dr Hugo Morales Briceno, along with Mr Carroll.
“With most specialists residing in the metropolitan areas, partnership working is crucial for rural and regional Australia,” Mr Carroll said.
“We are achieving what we set out to do, bringing world class care to the Mid North Coast of NSW.”
Patients consistently report high satisfaction with the service, citing improved access to specialist care, better care coordination and significant reductions in travel time and accommodation costs.
Ninety-five per cent of patients say they are extremely satisfied with the level of care and coordination, with many saying they are relieved by the reduced travel burden, with fewer trips required to Sydney for specialist consultations.