As part of World Parkinson's Day, Thursday 11 April 2024, find out more about the CUH Parkinson's specialist nurse team.
We are the Parkinson's specialist nurse team here at CUH and we are:
- Nicola McQueen – Parkinson’s specialist nurse
- Pamela Bontuyan Gonzales – Parkinson’s specialist nurse
- Claire Rudwick – deep brain stimulation specialist nurse
We are privileged to work as part of the Parkinson’s team here at CUH and have been incredibly lucky to be able to expand our team to include two Parkinson’s nurses, a deep brain stimulation nurse, consultant geriatricians, consultant neurologists and neurosurgeons. We are continuing to build our Parkinson’s service to improve the lives of those with Parkinson’s using a multidisciplinary approach.
As Parkinson's specialist nurses at CUH, we play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive care and support to people who are admitted to CUH with Parkinson’s. Our role involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver tailored care plans and empowering patients and their families through education and advocacy.
We are unique to other hospitals in that we have two full time Parkinson’s nurses working solely in the inpatient setting.
Our key responsibilities include:
- medication reviews to ensure all people with Parkinson’s are prescribed the correct medications at the correct timings,
- clinical assessment and management where we review all patients admitted to CUH and conduct thorough assessments evaluating motor and non-motor symptoms and medication efficacy,
- providing support to the multidisciplinary team. We collaborate closely with ward staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and discharge planning teams to address holistic needs and maximize functional independence,
- educating and supporting staff to care for people with Parkinson’s effectively. This includes our ward champions who have extra training on the management of Parkinson’s in an inpatient setting.
Overall, being a Parkinson's specialist nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital offers the opportunity to combine clinical expertise with compassion, advocacy, and a commitment to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their families.
We help to reduce length of stay for people with Parkinson’s and improve patient experience overall.
A typical day as a Parkinson's specialist nurse at CUH can be dynamic and varied, encompassing a range of clinical and non-clinical responsibilities, including:
- conducting assessments of patients in the emergency department to evaluate their symptoms and determine if they can be safely discharged. Additionally, we ensure prompt and accurate prescription of Parkinson’s medications to prevent any missed doses,
- we carry out ward reviews for admitted patients, offering guidance on managing Parkinson’s symptoms and medications. Especially in those patients who are ‘nil by mouth’,
- we advocate for adherence to medication schedules through initiatives like ‘get it on time,’ ensuring all Parkinson’s medications are administered promptly and consistently,
- we work in collaboration with medical teams, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care for patients,
- we provide education to both staff and individuals with Parkinson’s disease, aiming to promote independence and autonomy in managing their condition.
More about us
Hi, I'm Nicola. I commenced my nursing career at CUH as a staff nurse on ward A4 in 2012. I was very interested in the specialities of neurology and neurosurgery and was thrilled to be offered a job in this area. During my time on A4 I found a passion for neurology and in particular the areas of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Subsequently, I transitioned to the role of multiple sclerosis specialist nurse at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in 2015, where I dedicated two years to advancing my expertise in this field. I was keen to return to CUH given how much I had enjoyed working here previously and due to the hospital's reputation for excellence in patient care. I was then fortunate enough to be offered the role as a Parkinson’s specialist nurse in 2017, which I gladly accepted.
I thoroughly enjoy working at CUH given the supportive culture, the opportunity for personal and professional development, and the chance to positively impact patients' lives.
I have been working as a Parkinson’s specialist nurse for over six years and I couldn’t envision myself working in any other role. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients living with Parkinson's disease. Being able to provide care, support, and guidance to individuals and their families during a challenging time can be immensely fulfilling. Additionally, I am fortunate to collaborate with a dedicated and supportive team, striving to deliver exceptional care to those affected by Parkinson’s.
Hi I'm Pam. I began my journey at CUH in 2012 as a part-time neonatal care assistant while completing the overseas nursing program. After completing my nursing program and becoming a registered nurse, I then started to work in G6 Care of the Elderly ward, during that time I was promoted to a junior sister. Over the course of a decade, I played a significant role in leadership, patient care management, and staff development within this setting.
In 2022, I decided to work one day a week as a Parkinson specialist nurse and the rest of the week in G6. My experience with caring for the elderly served as an excellent platform for my role as Parkinson specialist nurse. Elderly patients often have multiple comorbidities and complex care needs, similar to many Parkinson's patients who may experience a range of symptoms. Managing these complexities in an elderly care settings provided valuable experience in care coordination, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient advocacy, skills essential for Parkinson's specialists. In December 2023, I took on my full-time role as a Parkinson specialist nurse.
Working at CUH has been positive and fulfilling. CUH fosters a collaborative working environment where healthcare professionals from different disciplines work together as a team. I thoroughly enjoy this collaborative spirit. CUH has also supported my professional growth and development as it offers various opportunities for training, skill development, and career advancement such as providing in house training, university courses, and mentorship opportunities.
As a Parkinson's specialist nurse, there are several aspects of the role that I enjoy: building relationships, collaborative working, continuous learning (Parkinson's disease is complex and ever-evolving, which offers opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth) and impactful work.
Knowing that I'm making a positive difference in the lives of individuals living with Parkinson's disease is incredibly fulfilling.
Supporting patients and their families through their challenges, celebrating their successes, and being a source of encouragement and hope brings purpose and meaning to my role as a Parkinson's specialist nurse.
Hi I'm Claire. I have been working at CUH since returning to nursing in 2004. I have worked within neurosciences in many roles including nurse education, neurosurgery, neurology and neuro-trauma before settling in my most rewarding present role as deep brain stimulation (DBS) nurse specialist. I thoroughly enjoy my role working at CUH as no two days are the same; each day I encounter a wide range of medical conditions, procedures, and patient populations and have the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge in this prestigious healthcare setting.
At CUH, we are amongst only seventeen centres in the UK providing state of the art therapy for people with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. I frequently receive feedback about the positive impact my team makes on patients' lives and their quality of life.
I feel a sense of belonging and job satisfaction working in this small team alongside experts in this field.
At CUH, excellence in patient care is not just a goal, but a commitment ingrained in every aspect of our operations. Within the dynamic neuroscience department, my aim is to seamlessly coordinate with neurologists, neurosurgeons, and allied health professionals to orchestrate personalised patient pathways and care plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.
As the nurse in the team, I am privileged to offer patients both technical support and unwavering emotional reassurance. Starting with explanations to the patient and family of any procedures, risks and benefits, I am able to build therapeutic relationships from pre-operative counselling to post-operative care, and ensure that every individual feels empowered and informed throughout their journey.
My knowledge of the conditions, device programming and troubleshooting, allow me to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes for each patient undergoing DBS assessment and therapy here at CUH. This embodies the spirit of compassionate care, enriching the lives of patients and leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of neurology.