Ramsay Newsroom

Geriatrician Dr Arup Bhattacharya and nurse Sheree Ambrosini are highly qualified and experienced at caring for people with these conditions and will work closely with patients to manage their symptoms. They have teamed up with other allied health specialists to provide comprehensive and local specialist care for the treatment of various movement disorders.

According to Dr Arup Bhattacharya, Parkinson’s disease affects more than just movement; it involves pain, depression and may progress over time.

“We aim to recognise health problems before they occur, whenever possible, to help patients consistently maintain their health,” Dr Bhattacharya said.

“We are proud to be starting an in-patient Parkinson’s care program on the rehabilitation ward at the Shepparton Private Hospital, accessible for patients with private health insurance or DVA coverage.”

The dedicated team of Ramsay Health Care professionals, who specialise in caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, will tailor a care plan to help patients live a productive and fulfilling life.

They will help manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and maintain independence and wellbeing via a multidisciplinary approach. This may include development of an individual exercise program, participating in a group exercise program, introducing cognitive strategies, speech therapy and ongoing assessments of disease stage, functional ability, motor and non-motor symptoms and monitoring response to treatment.

Care can be provided in an outpatient setting, regular inpatient intensive therapy programs and day rehabilitation settings. Patients will be assessed for advanced therapies and, if suitable, will be started on infusion therapies.

Ms Ambrosini explained there are many patient benefits of the new clinic. While the inpatient program is for patients with private health insurance or DVA, the clinic is open to both public and private patients without any out of pocket expenses.

“Waiting times will be reduced and patients will have expedited access to monitoring and much-needed repeat scripts. The nurse practitioner visiting service will enable patients to be seen more regularly in their own homes throughout the region, as far away as Echuca, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Nathalia, Numurkah and other locations where there is demand,” Ms Ambrosini said.