This document was published by the PDNSA in 2001 with a foreword by Sheila Roy and a preface by Sue Thomas.

Contents:

Our Role: Responsibilities

An essential feature of the role of the PDNS is that it reflects local needs, the dynamic nature of PD care and the experience and qualifications of the PDNS. Therefore it Is inappropriate to suggest an ideal job description. However, in order to meet the core elements of the specialist role, the PDNSA consider a PDNS should cover the following areas.

Clinical

The PDNS should:

1. Be involved in direct patient contact throughout the course of the disease from diagnosis to palliative care. This involves giving advice and information in hospitals, clinics, health centres and in the home, to patients and their relatives and might be on a routine or emergency basis.
2. Use counselling skills where appropriate to identify problems with patients and facilitate their resolution or acceptance.
3. Plan and document care on an individual basis.
4. Liaise with the hospital ward and department nurses, doctors and other staff regarding the care of patients with Parkinson's. See patients in these areas in order to assess nursing and information needs where appropriate.
5. Liaise with community nurses where appropriate to ensure continuity of care.
6. May advise patients on adjustment, within a protocol, of medication (after discussion with either patients or medical or other colleagues).
7. Liaise with other health professionals and voluntary organisations as appropriate according to the patient's individual needs.
8. Liaise with professional and voluntary organisations as appropriate for the provision of a comprehensive PD service.
9. Apply relevant research to ensure soundly based practice.
10. Work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary care team, meeting with them regularly and participating in team meetings. Must be aware of the importance of professional communication and personnel factors which can positively and adversely affect the delivery of the PD service.

Educational

The PDNS should:

1. Be involved with other members of the team in planning, delivery and evaluation of initial education to patients, their families and carers.
2. Be involved in providing ongoing education of all patients with PD and the planning of education programmes for the health district. Should also be involved with the team in setting, reviewing and monitoring standards of PD care in the health district.
3. Participate in the planning and delivery of education about PD for basic and post-basic nurses and other disciplines (for example GPs) as appropriate. This takes place in the college of nursing, university, ward setting and in the community.
4. Is a source of advice and a resource for all people with PD in the health district, as well as nurses, health care workers and other agencies involved with people with PD, for example local voluntary organisations.

Professional

The PDNS should:

1. Maintain registration and apply the UKCC code of conduct at all times
2. Maintain continual professional development through lifelong learning
3. Maintain high standards of documentation of care and provide information regarding the present needs and future trends of the service.
4. Be involved in the commissioning of PD services and regular reviews and updating of policy on nursing issues in the service.
5. Be aware of current research in PD and PD nursing. Disseminate relevant findings to colleagues in nursing and other disciplines.
6. Be involved in, or initiate, research into nursing issues in PD where appropriate.
7. Keep up to date with general and specialist nursing by reading relevant journals and attending a minimum of one national professional conference per year.
8. Belong to appropriate professional interest groups and bodies.
9. Promote awareness of the PDNS role and the support necessary for it to be fulfilled professionally, for example by secretarial assistance, team meetings and sabbatical leave after some years of service. Negotiate access to this support according to need.

Since the appointment of the first PDNS in 1989 the role has continued to evolve and already we have seen the development of the first PD nurse consultant. PDNS all over the UK already contribute effectively to several of the key roles for nurses outlined in the NHS plan (Chapter 9):

• They order diagnostic investigations
• Take and receive referrals to e.g. therapists
• Admit and discharge patients within agreed protocols
• Manage patient caseloads
• Run nurse led clinics
• Adjust medicines and treatments under patient group directions
• Take the lead on the way services for people with PD are organised and in the way they are run

Their value of their role has undoubtedly been crucial in improving quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease.

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