The Parkinson’s Australia Conference 2025 is bringing together leading experts, advocates, and health professionals to address critical topics in Parkinson’s care. Among the featured speakers are David Tsui and Michael Bakker, who will be presenting on the vital subject of Optimising medications for Parkinson’s disease.
About the speakers
David Tsui is the Nurse Practitioner in Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders for the whole Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) in New South Wales. He entered the field of movement disorders in 2008 under the mentoring of Laraine McAnally (retired Clinical Nurse Consultant). He completed his Master of Nursing in 2014 and was endorsed as a Nurse Practitioner in 2017. In addition to his clinical roles, David was one of the authors and tutor of the Australian College of Nursing ‘Parkinson’s Care 299’ unit of study and worked as a casual academic at the University of Sydney. David has also been an integral committee member of the Movement Disorders Chapter (MDC) of the Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association (ANNA) since 2016 and was nominated to be the chairperson of the MDC from 2019 to 2022. He now co-chairs the Movement Disorders Chapter with Sue Williams.
Michael Bakker is a pharmacist and has worked with the Parkinson’s community in South Australia for more than a decade. Michael is the Chief Pharmacy Information Officer for SA Health but has been a board member with Parkinson’s SA for more than 7 years. Over time he has specialised in Home Medication Reviews for People with Parkinson’s and has delivered more than 100 of these reviews for people living with Parkinson’s in and around Adelaide. In 2021 Michael published original research on the frequency and type of medication errors that people with Parkinson’s experience when they are admitted to hospitals. It is the most comprehensive study of the challenges of managing Parkinson’s related medicines during the transfer of care and was the genesis for the Parkinson’s grab bag and the development of guidelines on the management of PD meds in people with swallowing difficulties that have been shared across jurisdictions nationally.
Together, David and Michael bring a wealth of knowledge to the table, offering perspectives from both the medical and pharmaceutical fields.
What they’re talking about
Their session will explore the challenges and solutions in optimising medications for Parkinson’s. Topics will include:
- Tailoring medication plans to individual needs.
- Strategies to manage outside influences on meds (e.g. hydration, protein).
- Practical tips for managing medications in daily life.
Why you should attend
Medications are central to managing Parkinson’s, but understanding how to optimise their use can be complex. David and Michael’s session is designed to simplify this process, providing actionable advice to help people living with Parkinson’s and their carers improve medication outcomes. By attending, you’ll gain:
- A deeper understanding of how medication affects Parkinson’s.
- Knowledge to collaborate effectively with healthcare providers.
- Confidence in managing treatments to improve daily living.
Why it’s important
Optimising medications is key to maintaining quality of life with Parkinson’s. This session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to advocate for your needs, empowering you to make informed decisions about your care. It’s an opportunity to learn from experts who truly understand the challenges of living with Parkinson’s.
For more information on the conference and additional resources, visit the Parkinson’s Australia Conference page and our info hub medications page.
