The Allied Health & Management of Parkinsons’s Disease workshop brings together AHPs working with Parkinson’s sufferers in the Northern Rivers to consider the latest research on allied health practitioners in this field, and to explore best practices and collaborative approaches for the improvement of services for people with Parkinson’s. The forum will feature presentations by local allied health practitioners, allied health researchers, and key Parkinson’s service agencies. There will also be group workshopping to identify service provision challenges in our region and potential solutions.

Themes from the guest speakers include:

PhD research projects looking at how people with Parkinson’s are referred to allied health, and safe mobility and fall prevention in Parkinson’s
Perspectives on the roles of Occupational Therapists in Parkinson’s care
The roles and resources of the Northern NSW LHD and Parkinson’s NSW in supporting care for people with Parkinson’s Disease in the Northern Rivers

Workshop Presenters & Topics:

Mary Kay Walker - CEO, Parkinson's NSW

Mary Kay Walker was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Parkinson’s NSW in 2023. Her priorities for the organisation are to contribute to the implementation of the National Parkinson’s Action Plan, and to advocate to NSW Government Ministries and NSW Health on advancing care for those with Parkinson’s disease. She is also working to build relationships with researchers, movement disorder specialists, and Parkinson’s nurses across the state.

Title of Presentation: Parkinson’s NSW Services and Supports

Parkinson’s NSW is a for-purpose organisation striving to make life better for people living with Parkinson’s, their families, and carers.

It provides essential services such as counselling, Support Groups, an InfoLine supported by Parkinson’s health professionals, education, NDIS advocacy, and fundraising for service delivery. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by Parkinson’s.

Cassandra Wong - Physiotherapist

Cassandra Wong is a physiotherapist and Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney. She is currently completing a PhD that focuses on people with Parkinson’s disease and their access to allied health. Prior to this, she practiced clinically in neurosurgery, neurology and rehabilitation.

Presentation Title: Investigating access to Allied Health by Australians with Parkinson’s Disease

This presentation will discuss the results of two qualitative studies that investigated when, why and how people with Parkinson’s disease are being referred to allied health, including triggers for and barriers to referral. The studies examined the perspectives of care providers (i.e., neurologists, general practitioners, and Parkinson’s nurses), and of people with lived experience (people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners).

Dr Raju George: Geriatrician, Port Macquarie

Dr George is an experienced Geriatrician and Consultant Physician, with a particular interest in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. He diagnoses and manages patients with presenting symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, younger-onset dementia, frontotemporal dementia along with Alzheimer’s disease. His Parkinson’s disease management extends to further incorporate advanced therapies. His additional areas of proficiency span comprehensive geriatric assessments, dementia care, falls prevention, frailty, polypharmacy management, and end-of-life care. Dr George provides a patient-focused, holistic approach to medicine which combines evidence-based practice with personalised care.

Presentation Title: TBA

Jody Lloyd: Parkinson’s Nurse, Port Macquarie

Jody Lloyd currently works as the Parkinson’s Clinical Nurse Consultant in Port Macquarie, a role she had held since 2022. She began her career in Parkinson’s care in 2019 and previously worked with a movement disorder team in the UK. Jody holds advanced nursing education and brings over a decade of clinical experience across Australia and the UK. Her current role is jointly funded by the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) and Parkinson’s NSW, supporting communities in Port Macquarie, Taree, Kempsey, and surrounding areas. Jody is committed to improving quality of life through early intervention, education, and holistic support across hospital, community, and aged care settings.

Presentation Title: TBA

Fiona Bagley - Physiotherapist, Ramsay Health

Fiona graduated from Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie in 2020 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has worked as a physiotherapist for the last 5 years in the private sector.
Fiona has a strong clinical interest in orthopaedics (post fractures/joint replacements), Parkinson's Disease, falls prevention and sports rehabilitation. She also enjoys working with endurance athletes, helping them optimise performance while preventing and managing injuries. She is dedicated to providing compassionate care and empowering patients to overcome challenges, so they can get back to doing what they love.

Presentation Title: TBA

Dr Emily Handley: Academic MOOC Officer, Wicking Dementia Centre

Dr Handley is a neuroscientist from Tasmania with a passion for understanding brain conditions such as motor neuron disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Her PhD research at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania was focused on lab-based models of motor neuron disease and dementia, trying to find the earliest brain changes in disease cascades. She then worked as a scientist in Germany, exploring how head injuries contribute to the brain changes underlying neurodegenerative conditions. Since returning to Australia, Emily has moved from the laboratory to educational resources, and created the Parkinson's MOOC as the Wicking Academic MOOC Officer, working to create, maintain, and research a number of MOOCs (dementia, MND) and their impacts on community health outcomes.

Presentation Title: TBA

This event is proudly supported by: