Parkinson's can render patients immobile

Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, is the only hospital in the region which offers the facility for people with the illness.

Janet Ryder AM has called on the Welsh Assembly to rectify the situation.

"A specialist nurse to aid sufferers from Parkinson's disease would be beneficial, particularly in north east Wales," she said.

In south Wales there are 14 specialist nurses, 9 in Cardiff alone, however in Wrexham there is no such provision.

Wrexham has one of the highest numbers of diagnosed cases of Parkinson's disease in the UK Janet Ryder AM

"In the Wrexham area people are waiting far too long for appointments with a neurological specialist," said the north Wales AM.

"As with many conditions early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease can stem the development of the condition.

"Wrexham has one of the highest numbers of diagnosed cases of Parkinson's disease in the UK," she added.

Last year members of a Parkinson's disease self-help group in Wrexham offered to pay for specialist nurses to be employed at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

However, the North East Wales NHS Trust had stated that funding training for a specialist nurse would not guarantee a new position.

The hospital would still have the employment costs which would amount to around �30,000.