An Oban woman has become the new Director of Parkinson’s UK in Scotland and issued a warning about the dramatic rise in the numbers of people suffering from the condition.
Annie Macleod brings a wealth of health and social care experience, which has seen her develop from a trainee nurse to a midwife in Scotland.
That was followed by her holding a series of senior management roles with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Sue Ryder and the NHS in England.
Most recently, she returned to her roots to become Oban, Lorn and the Isles locality manager for the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership.
She lives with her husband on the Morvern peninsula, north west of Oban, and has two grown-up daughters: one is a junior doctor and the other works in social policy research.
Mrs Macleod said: “People with or affected by Parkinson’s had a key decision-making role during the recruitment process and it’s exciting to be joining an organisation that puts people with the condition front and centre.
“Last week, we announced that the numbers of people in Scotland with Parkinson’s had increased to more than 12,000. This figure is set to double within two generations and presents a real challenge for health and social care providers.
“My job is to help the fantastic team of Parkinson’s UK staff and volunteers in Scotland ensure that people affected by the condition have access to the services they need.”
The new director admitted that she has assumed the role in a difficult financial climate for health organisations.
She added: “With budgets and services already stretched, it is vital that providers plan and prepare for the rising numbers of people living with the condition.
“It is sobering that one in every 375 adults has the condition. And more than 10,400 of those people are over 65, with many of them experiencing falls or unplanned admissions to hospital.
“Strengthening our work in reaching out to everyone affected by Parkinson’s is ever more critical.
“My first step is to listen to what the Parkinson’s community in Scotland has to say and I will be out and about meeting as many people and local support groups as possible.”
