PEOPLE living with Parkinson's in Burnham will be left struggling and without vital support as care currently offered by specialist nurses is under threat, a leading charity has warned.

Somerset's Clinical Commissioning Group (SCCG) will stop funding one of Somerset's three specialist Parkinson's nurses at the end of May, as it is concerned over the cost-effectiveness of the position.

However the Parkinson's UK charity say that this could leave many of the 1,500 people in Somerset who live with the disease with a far poorer quality of life.

More than 20 people from across Somerset turned up to the SCCG meeting held at Taunton's Holiday Inn last Thursday to make their voices heard about the effect losing the nurse could have.

Ronnie Broadley from Burnham cares for her husband Bill who lives with Parkinson's.

"As it progresses, Parkinson's gets more complex and more demanding. It can be very difficult to get an appointment with a consultant, it is even difficult top get through to someone on the phone sometimes," she said.

"Losing this nurse will mean longer waiting times and I worry that carers will break down.

"I co-ordinated a support group for Parkinsons sufferers as communication was so poor, and we try and work together to share experiences and help each other through problems."

Many of the people with Parkinson's at the event echoed that the nurse provided excellent quality care plans and advice, and because of their specialist knowledge was often more useful than a GP or consultant.

At the meeting, the CCG's Director of Primary Care, Anne Anderson explained that Parkinson's UK had agreed to fund the post for two years at a cost of £80,000 before the CCG would review the finances of funding the post.

Although the CCG accept that the patients were very happy with care they received from the nurse, the numbers of admissions, length of stay, number of consultation appointments and crisis admissions had not dropped significantly.

Somerset CCG's managing director, David Slack said: "The CCG cannot justify funding an additional specialist nurse post at this time and we have asked Parkinson's UK to consider funding a six-month extension to allow further evaluation of the impact to be undertaken."

Parkinson's UK area manager for Somerset, Neil Smart said he was positive about how the meeting went and was looking forward to having more detailed discussions with the CCG to put forward the case for keeping the nurse.

“Reducing the number of Parkinson’s nurses in Somerset will strip away the already under-resourced support being offered to people with Parkinson's, leaving them without the expert help they desperately need and increasing the chances of them ending up in hospital.

“Parkinson’s nurses are critical to managing this complex and fluctuating condition, and it’s vital that people with Parkinson’s living in Somerset continue to have access to their specialist knowledge and support.”

Burnham's MP James Heappey is supporting the cause, saying he hoped the CCG would be able to find the resources to keep on the Parkinson's nurse.

“The Parkinson’s Nurse based at the West Mendip Hospital in my constituency has clearly provided a service which those living with Parkinson’s Disease have found invaluable.

"I have been contacted by many patients and also by those who support those patients within their communities. "They are all concerned to see the process withdrawn so abruptly and I very much share that view.

"Budgets are tight and difficult decisions clearly need to be taken, but I hope the Clinical Commissioning Group will be able to find the resource to keep this important service.”