Harry Prankard, from Chirk near Wrexham, and his fellow members of the Parkinson's self help group have set up a fund to pay for nurses to specialise in the illness.

We are now looking at getting nurses trained in this area and we will pay for it ourselves Harry Prankard Parkinson's disease patient

The 51-year-old said there was only one specialist nurse based at Glan Clwyd hospital in Bodelwyddan to care for people throughout the region.

Mr Prankard, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease nine years ago, said extra hospital nurses were desperately needed.

"We've been campaigning for a Parkinson's nurse at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital for eight years.

"The trust keep telling us there is not enough funds.

Harry Prankard has had Parkinson's for nine years

"We are now looking at getting nurses trained in this area and we will pay for it ourselves.

"It won't cost the hospitals anything, we just want them to employ them," he said.

Mr Prankard, who relies on the help of a full-time carer, said members of his self help group have complained that many hospital staff do not understand the condition.

"One man went into a hospital with a heart attack - his Parkinson's was not dealt with and all his drugs were taken away from him.

Terrible illness

"He ended up with his family smuggling his drugs in so he would get them on time.

"This can be a terrible illness, my life has changed dramatically.

"I am not allowed to drive - which takes away my freedom.

"I've lost work in a solicitors because I am unable to write reports and it made me feel useless.

"I was once married but unfortunately Parkinson's became too much for my other half to live with and we eventually divorced.

"I'm at home now on my own with two children," he said.

Andy Scotson: The Trust does not have the money

North East Wales NHS Trust spokesman Andy Scotson said funding training for a specialist nurse would not guarantee a new position.

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

"A Parkinson's nurse is a development we have looked at but it comes down to funding.

"We are building up a body of specialist nurses and a Parkinson's nurse has been identified as an area to follow," he said.

Parkinson's disease affects approximately 1% of people over the age of 65.

It is a degenerative disorder in which patients develop tremor and muscle stiffness because they have too little dopamine - a brain chemical.