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Parkinson's Disease

The Service for patients with Parkinson’s Disease and related movement disorders.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s Disease is a movement disorder which is characterised by tremor at rest, rigidity, slowness of movement and instability. Approximately 0.3% of people in the general population, and approximately 1 percent of people aged over 60 years have Parkinson’s Disease. 

The symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are treated with medications that enhance the amount of Dopamine in the brain.  

The Trust has a dedicated Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Team. Patients with movement disorders are also seen by the Trust's other neurologists and physicians and these colleagues will be supported by the team. The team works very closely with physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. The Trust has Parkinson's Disease Group activities that may be appropriate for some patients and works closely with local branches of the Parkinson's Disease Society to ensure a comprehensive service.

Our aims

The level of impairment and symptoms are unique to each individual and can sometimes be difficult to manage. The Parkinson’s Disease service aims to empower those affected by providing information, support and advice about the condition, from the time of diagnosis and throughout the disease spectrum.  The service aims to support patients who are admitted to hospital and to ensure that their stay is as comfortable as possible.

The Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders team:

  • Dr Samuel - Consultant Neurologist

  • Dr Munro - Consultant Neurologist

  • Dr Jenkinson - Consultant in Health Care for the Elderly

  • Dr Heller - Consultant in Health Care for the Elderly

  • Dr Hawkins - Consultant in Health Care for the Elderly

  • Rosemary Vahid - Nurse Specialist

  • Michelle McHenry - Nurse Specialist

  • Nichola Scoble - Nurse Specialist

  • Karen Bartlett - Specialist Pharmacist

Read the advice for patients needing admission >

East Kent Neuroscience Unit (EKNU)

The East Kent Neuroscience Unit (EKNU) is at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Out-patient Facilities for patients with Parkinson’s Disease and related movement disorders

Clinics are held at:

  • William Harvey Hospital, Ashford

  • Buckland Hospital, Dover

  • Deal Hospital

  • Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury

  • Faversham Health Centre

  • Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone

  • Royal Victoria Hospital, Herne Bay

  • Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, Margate.

Our specialist nurses also visit patient’s at home – see 'Our staff' tab for details.

Our consultants

Dr Zaloa Agirre-Arrizubieta, Consultant in Neurophysiology
 
Dr Jeremy Bland,  Consultant in Clinical Neurophysiology
 
Prof Alan Colchester,  Consultant Neurologist, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience & Medical Image Computing

Dr Joanne Karlsson, Consultant Neurologist
 
Dr Nicholas Moran, Consultant Neurologist and Educational Supervisor for Neurology East Kent Hospitals

Dr Neil Munro, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Lead for Neurology

Dr Steve Pollock, Consultant neurologist, Lead Clinician Neurosciences, Clinical Advisor

Dr Ian Redmond, Consultant Neurologist
 
Dr Mohamed Sakel, Director NeuroRehabilitation, Consultant Physician, Director Research & Development

Dr Michael Samuel, Consultant Neurologist

Dr Andrew Heller, Consultant in Health Care for the Elderly 

Dr Michael Jenkinson, Consultant in Health Care for the Elderly

Karen Bartlett, Specialist Pharmacist

Specialist Nurse teams

Specialist Nurse teams have been established for multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. The nurses play an important role in improving access for patients, in integrating primary and secondary care, and in supporting the consultant neurologists in the delivery of ongoing care. 

Specialist Nurses

  • Tracey Truscott, Specialist Nurse in epilepsy
  • Sue Routledge, Specialist Nurse in epilepsy
  • Andy Smith, Specialist Nurse in epilepsy
  • Nichola Scoble, Specialist Nurse in Parkinson's' disease
  • Rosemary Vahid, Specialist Nurse in Parkinson's disease
  • Michelle McHenry, Specialist Nurse in Parkinson's disease
  • Susan Holmes, Specialist Nurse in Multiple Sclerosis
  • Maureen Speed, Specialist Nurse in Multiple Sclerosis
  • Juliette Beaumont, Specialist Nurse in Multiple Sclerosis
  • Christine Batts, Specialist Nurse in Motor Neurone Disease.

Information about our hospitals

Please click the links below for lots of information about visiting our hospitals (including travel and parking):

Contact the Parkinson’s Disease Team

The team can be contacted at:

Neurology Department,
William Harvey Hospital,
Kennington Road,
Ashford,
TN24 0LZ

Neurology Secretaries,
Kent & Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road, Canterbury
CT1 3GN


Or telephone

Rosemary Vahid              Thanet & Ashford Secretary on : 01233 616837                                           

Nichola Scoble                Folkestone 01233  651887                                                                               

Amanda Marsh               Canterbury, Ashford, New Romney, Estuary View  01233 651887        

Annie Holdsworth            Deal & Dover 01233 616225                                            

Pauline Hammond           Sittingbourne Sheppey & Estuary View  01227 866489

The service is accessible Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.  Messages can be left on the 24 hour answerphone.

The Parkinson's Disease Service is NOT an emergency service. Your GP should be made aware of any urgent medical symptoms.

Links / Frequently Asked Questions

Advice for patients being admitted to Hospital

Parkinson’s UK is a charity which provides support and advice and which has local groups in the East Kent area – visit their website at www.parkinsons.org.uk