Two weeks ago local PD sufferers were dealt a blow when it was revealed that the Newcastle based visiting specialist nurse would not be able to continue her quarterly two day clinical trips to service the North West.

Former Tamworth PD Support Group publicity officer John Crosby said he personally met with the nurse two weeks ago who explained that her workload “was already over-stretched in Newcastle”, and that is why the clinics would not be continuing after her next clinic on July 7.

However Hunter New England Health’s Peel Sector Manager Catharine Death confirmed that there “are no planned changes to these clinics,” in a statement on Wednesday.

“A clinic was held on 27 March 2017, with another scheduled for July 2017,” Dr Death said.

“There are no planned changes to these clinics. Hunter New England Health and Tamworth Health Service will continue to explore opportunities to support all of our patients.”

That news came as a surprise to Mr Crosby and the 40 strong members of the support group.

“That doesn’t agree with what I have been told,” Mr Crosby said.

“Although we have absolutely no objections at all if the nurse is going to continue to come.” 

Recently Mr Crosby, his treasurer wife Ann, and former chair, Trish Betts, stood down from their roles in the group to focus solely on winning the funding to get the services of an SNN nurse in Tamworth.

Len Hutton has taken over as chair, while Mike Donoghue is treasurer, and Janine Duncan publicity officer.

“At the moment we have been moving slowly towards our goal, but for us it isn’t fast enough,” Mr Crosby said.

“We see an immediate need for a specialist nurse in Tamworth.” 

The group have a meeting with Senator John Williams, who is also a sufferer, next month.