Hastings locals help launch parliament’s Friends of Parkinson’s

PORT MACQUARIE has been well-represented at the first meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Parkinson’s.

The event in Parliament House Sydney was co-chaired by Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer.

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 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,” Mr Dwyer said.

“Her focus on early intervention, education and holistic support makes a real difference to quality of life for patients and their families.”

The group marks an important step forward in raising awareness and strengthening support for people living with Parkinson’s disease across NSW.

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.

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 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 NSW,” Mr Dwyer said.