St George Hospital Movement Disorder Clinic offers world-class care to patients

St George Hospital has recently established a Movement Disorders Clinic, adding to the world-class care available at the hospital.

One of the treatments available through the clinic will improve the life of patients with advanced Parkinson’s Disease, who now have access to specialised treatment using Levodopa-Carbidopa intestinal gel.

St George Hospital is the first in SESLHD to offer the treatment, which replaces all other treatment for Parkinson’s Disease patients.

The treatment involves an infusion of gel medication directly into a patient’s intestine for 16 hours each day through a PEG/J tube. The patient wears a vest to carry the medication, meaning they are mobile and able to get about their daily life.

It was a multidisciplinary effort to initiate this treatment at St George Hospital, involving neurology, the gastroenterology and radiology departments, nursing, pharmacy, and the nurses from the Nutritional Support Service.

Michael McGuire, 80, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 14 years ago and was the first patient to receive the infusional medication at St George Hospital. Michael is happy he no longer needs to inject himself or take multiple tablets each day and has noticed fewer side effects. He also feels more independent as the medication is infused throughout the day.

The Movement Disorder Clinic also treats patients with other illnesses including dystonia, tremor, hemifacial spasm, ataxia and others. GPs and Specialists can refer their patients to the clinic for this specialised treatment.