"Holistic approach at my annual Parkinson's review"

I attended Whitehills Hospital in Forfar for my annual review for the long term condition Parkinson's Disease in late October 2024. I also suffer from severe arthritis in my knees resulting in mobility problems and I use a wheelchair when away from home.

Attending hospital appointments has become a major undertaking and is very stressful as hospital transport is rarely available now and I have to rely on friends or, at great expense, a wheelchair taxi to take me and bring me home again. On this occasion a friend was attending the same clinic and she and her husband were able to give me a lift.

The Parkinson's Clinic is run by Dr Shaw, head of the department of medicine for the elderly, and specialist Parkinson's nurse Linda. They have developed a multidisciplinary clinic approach enabling patients to see each of the five specialists involved in the care of Parkinson's patients at the one clinic.

Included are the PD consultant, Parkinsons nurse, physio, OT and speech therapist, plus a nurse to have blood pressure taken and weighed checked, etc. The specialists are then able to meet together immediately after the clinic to discuss each patient and decide on a new course of treatment, if needed. Job done!

This is such a sensible approach to dealing with patients and must save time and money by streamlining the provision of care into one clinic. It is certainly beneficial for the patient having to attend just one hospital appointment instead of five, and having a holistic approach to a degenerative and progressive medical condition certainly makes me feel that I am receiving first class medical care.

I would like to congratulate and thank Dr Shaw and all the medical staff for an excellent and well run clinic. Thank you!