Who are we?
We are a specialist Parkinson’s clinic based at the Clara Cross Centre, St Martin’s Hospital, Bath. We are here for people who are registered with a Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES) GP and who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or a related disorder, such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multi System Atrophy (MSA), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).
We aim to empower you to manage your own condition, by offering specialist assessment, advice and treatment, practical support to maintain everyday activities and quality of life, to be an information point for resources in the community and provide a service that is accessible to you when you require support.
The team is a multi-disciplinary team who provide assessment, support, rehabilitation and general health advice for you and your family, or those who care for you.
Please note: for any urgent queries consider contacting your GP, 111 or 999.
Appointments will generally be within the clinic at Clara Cross, however we will see you in your home when needed. Once referred to us, you will remain under our care and will not be discharged. This means you can access support and advice at any point.
We have an Adviceline which runs 3 times a week.
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Where are we based?
The Clara Cross Centre is at St Martin’s Hospital, Clara Cross Lane, Bath, BA2 5RP.
There is designated free parking outside the Clara Cross Centre if you enter via the Frome Road entrance (opposite Sainsbury’s). There is also more free parking on the site, if you enter via the Midford Road entrance. Generally there are plenty of spaces to park, so you do not need to arrive early for your appointment.
Google maps reference: BA2 5RP – Google Maps
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Meet the team
Specialist Parkinson’s Consultants
When you have been given a diagnosis and referred into the Parkinson’s clinic, you will be seen by one of the Parkinson’s consultants, who will talk with you about your symptoms and how to best manage these. You will then be reviewed on a yearly basis by a Parkinson’s specialist (either the consultant or a Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist).
The Parkinson’s consultants are in the clinic once a week, however the team are always able to liaise with the consultants at other times, to ensure any queries are answered.
Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists and Nursing Assistants:
Please note we are currently without one of our Parkinson’s nurses. This means that we are unable to offer a full service at present. Please be patient and bear with us while we recruit to this critical role. Many thanks.
Laura, Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS)
My name Laura and I am a specialist nurse for movement disorders which includes Parkinson’s and related diseases like PSP, vascular Parkinsonism, MSA, or Lewy body dementia.
I work closely with specialist consultants to review your symptoms on an annual basis and make the necessary changes to medications and recommend appropriate lifestyle changes. This can be face to face , by phone or in your home.
I help to manage a telephone advice line, with other members of the team. You or your family can talk to us on this line about any concerns you may have.
Together we will decide the best way forward to help you manage your symptoms, discussing them with your consultant and/ or the wider team as necessary. I can help you manage your medications, for your best outcome.
I liaise with other agencies in health and social care to provide you with the best outcome for your lifestyle.
I maybe able to visit people at home who are housebound or those in a care home to review their condition and provide the same care you would get if you were to attend our clinic.
Teresa, Nursing Assistant
When you attend your appointment at the Parkinson’s clinic, you will usually firstly be seen by a member of the Nursing team. We may look at your bone health and calculate your risk of fractures by calculating your risk of osteoporosis (FRAX score), and this calculation will then be passed onto your medical team for appropriate action. We will also usually check the following when you attend the clinic: your lying and standing blood pressures, and your height and weight.
Occupational Therapist:
Nikki, Occupational Therapist
Hi my name is Nikki and I’m the occupational therapist working in the Parkinson’s and movement disorder clinic here at St Martin’s Hospital in Bath.
My role is to support you to maintain your independence in the activities that you do on a day-to-day basis, from when you get up in the morning to when you go to bed at night .
I may see you in clinic but I would usually come and visit you at home to talk through any specific difficulties you might have and find solutions to maintain your quality of life. This might include showing you a different way of doing something such as getting in/ out of bed or advising you on a gadget to help you remember to take your medicines on time or providing you with simple aids and adaptations to maintain your safety around the home.
Whatever the issue, there is usually a strategy or a gadget that can help and I’m the person you can come to you to point you in the right direction and support you through your journey with Parkinson’s.
Physiotherapists:
Ruth, Physiotherapist
My name is Ruth and I am one of the two physiotherapists in the Parkinson’s Clinic at St Martins Hospital. We provide physiotherapy across 2 days a week to the Parkinson’s Clinic. Our appointments are held at the clinic although we also carry out reviews by video or telephone as needed.
Keeping active is an important part of looking after yourself, especially when you are living with a movement disorder. We can help you to develop your fitness routines in ways that are individualised to you as a person, as well as to your physical goals.
A physiotherapy assessment is also a chance to review your walking, balance, posture and mobility. We can offer advice on any concerns you have regarding these areas, along with exercises and strategies that might be useful to you. We can also help you to identify issues that would be useful to address in a preventative way, going forwards. If suitable you will be offered a short course of exercises to support your home exercise practice. These sessions may be held with a rehabilitation support worker who is experienced in teaching exercises.
We always take into account what you are hoping to achieve with our help. When we can offer you options such as group exercise sessions, or referral on to other services, and this will always be discussed with you.
Andrea, Physiotherapist
Clinical Psychologist:
Peter, Clinical Psychologist
My name is Peter and I’m a clinical psychologist in the Parkinson’s and movement disorders service at St Martin’s hospital. I help support people with Parkinson’s and related conditions manage any psychological difficulties that they may be experiencing in relation to their condition, through the use of evidenced based talking therapies. These difficulties might include things like low mood or anxiety related to your condition, or difficulties around adjusting to your diagnosis or symptoms you are experiencing.
It’s normal for people both with and without long-term health conditions to have good and bad days, but if you find these difficulties are starting to get in the way of living the life you would like to, then you can speak to anyone in the team at Clara Cross or call our advice line to request an initial assessment with clinical psychology at Clara Cross. For more information about clinical psychology within the service please click on the link to the Clinical Psychology at the Movement Disorders Service Information Leaflet.
Speech and Language Therapist:
Helen, Speech and Language Therapist
Hello, I’m Helen. I’m a Speech and Language Therapist at Clara Cross. My role within the clinic is to offer support to people with Parkinson’s and related disorders who are having difficulties with their speech, voice or language or with their swallowing or saliva management.
My input varies according to the needs of the individual, it may be a one-off session, providing assessment and advice aimed at making communication or swallowing more effective. I also offer individual and group therapy sessions to support people in using new strategies and techniques.
Rehabilitation Support Workers:
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How do I get referred?
Those attending the Parkinson’s clinic, will have a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s or a related condition and must have a BaNES GP. This will usually be done by a Neurologist or Consultant Geriatrician.
Once this diagnosis has been made, you can be referred to the multi-disciplinary team at the Clara Cross Centre.
If you have any questions about our service, please contact us on:
- 0300 247 0200 (Care Coordination Centre)
We aim to offer you your first appointment within 16 weeks of being referred.
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Your appointments
Please bring:
- medication information and any relevant prescriptions
- glasses
- hearing aids
- any mobility aids/equipment you use for walking
You are very welcome to bring someone with you to all of your appointments.
If you have not been seen for some time and you are coming to see the Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist, please print out and complete the following forms, in readiness for your appointment:
Transport:
You may be able to organise community transport to bring you into your appointment.
Please be aware that there can often be a considerable wait for transport to collect you, following your appointment (sometimes this can be a number of hours).
Please consider if this will be suitable for you (for example, consider getting to the toilet etc) and please do come with any medications which may be due and some snacks. We can provide you with drinks.
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How to contact us?
For general appointment enquiries, or if you wish to contact your therapist (i.e. your physiotherapist or occupational therapist), please use the following telephone number:
- 0300 247 0200 (Care Coordination Centre)
For specific advice about your condition, e.g. medication issues, a change in symptoms, please use the Parkinson’s Adviceline:
- 01225 613958
- Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30-12.30
Please note: the Care Coordination Centre are unable to take messages. Please contact the Adviceline if you have any concerns about your symptoms.
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Helpful tips
- Always take your medication on time
- Do not stop your medication without speaking to your GP or member of the Movement Disorder Clinic
- It is important to keep hydrated – drink regular and often throughout the day this will help you to avoid becoming constipated.
- Keep moving – ensure you take exercise every day
- Keep an eye on your posture – ensure you are upright as possible
- If you experience any changes in your condition that concern you, please contact your GP or Nurse Specialist to let them know
