Parkinsons

Janet McLeod was born in Northern Ireland and completed her initial nursing training in Belfast. She immigrated to Australia in 1973 continuing her nursing career and studies in Perth WA. 

In 1998, while completing a Masters Degree specialising in Parkinson’s Disease she was appointed the inaugural Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist based with Parkinson’s WA Inc . This was a Health Department funded initiative of a 1 year trial with 1 nurse looking after the entire Perth Metropolitan area. The nursing team has now grown to 8 nurses.  Janet is currently the Clinical Nurse Manager to this nursing team.

 Janet’s vision for the role included her passion for educating nurses and other health professionals caring for people with Parkinson’s. The early years included planning and presenting at 2 courses focusing on Parkinson’s facilitated by Curtin University. Education at aged care facilities, hospitals and community venues remains an integral part of the role. In 2007 she co authored Guidelines for Nursing Practice in Caring for People with Parkinson’s with Nerolie Lyle. Among other duties Janet is also involved in the production of Parkinson’s related publications used nationally.  In 2017-2018 she was very involved in the planning of and writing two themes for the soon to be launched Australian College of Nursing on line Post Graduate Certificate in Parkinson’s Care.

Awards

2000      Nurses Board of Western Australia Research Award (Parkinson’s related)

2004      Edith Cowan University Craig Care Award for outstanding thesis (Parkinson’s related)

2012      Dr Rana International Award for education in the field of Parkinson’s (Canada)

2012      Order of Australia Medal for service to nursing and the Parkinson’s community