Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s Launched at NSW Parliament

Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s Launched at NSW Parliament

Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer MP has co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s at NSW Parliament House, marking an important step forward in raising awareness and strengthening support for people living with Parkinson’s disease across New South Wales.

Mr Dwyer joined Co-Chairs Philip Donato MP and Dr Joe McGirr MP to host the event, which brought together people living with Parkinson’s, their families and carers, clinicians, researchers and advocates, all united by a shared commitment to improving understanding, care and support.

“I was very pleased that a number of people from Port Macquarie travelled to Parliament for this important event and I want to acknowledge their commitment to raising awareness of Parkinson’s,” Mr Dwyer said.

Attendees from the local region included Kim and David Dahler, Carol Brazel and Rudolf Szibrowski, Robert Wilson, Matthew Easton, Lillian Atkinson, Anthony Simmon, and Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse Jody Lloyd.

Mr Dwyer paid special tribute to Ms Lloyd, who has been the local Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse since 2022. Her role is jointly funded by the Mid North Coast Local Health District and Parkinson’s NSW, supporting communities across Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Wauchope, Laurieton and surrounding areas.

Ms Lloyd began her career in Parkinson’s care in 2019 and previously worked with a movement disorder team in the United Kingdom. She holds advanced nursing qualifications and brings more than 20 years of clinical experience across Australia and the UK, with expertise spanning Parkinson’s disease, aged care, cardiology, health education and care standards assessment.

“Jody is deeply passionate about proactive, person-centred care for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Her focus on early intervention, education and holistic support makes a real difference to quality of life for patients and their families,” Mr Dwyer said.

There are 68,850 people in NSW with Parkinson’s. For every person diagnosed, at least two family members or carers are directly affected. Parkinson’s prevalence is much higher than prostate, breast, bowel and lung cancer combined.

The event also highlighted the vital role Parkinson’s Specialist Nurses play across NSW, particularly in regional and rural communities.

“These nurses provide essential, community-based support, and the need for more Parkinson’s Specialist Nurses across the state is clear,” Mr Dwyer said.

“The Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s will continue to advocate for more Parkinson’s nurses, for better outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s, their families and carers across New South Wales.”