Increase funding for people with Parkinson’s and implement the "Parky Charter"

We want the government to take the decisive five steps set out in the Movers and Shakers' "Parky Charter" and to fulfil the Health Secretary’s promises.

As a priority, we want to make sure that everyone referred for a possible Parkinson’s diagnosis sees a consultant within 18 weeks and at least once a year after that.

As set out in the Parky Charter, we want:

1. Speedy specialists 2. Instant information 3. Parkinson's passport 4. Comprehensive care 5. Quest for a cure

Parkinson’s is considered the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. We think it’s time for the government to respond to our grave concerns about what we consider systematic failings in Parkinson’s care.

The measures in the Parky Charter, which are supported by the three big Parkinson’s charities, require the government to deliver on their promises, ensuring timely diagnosis, comprehensive care, and dignity for all people with Parkinson’s.

We acknowledge the challenges that neurology services have faced, particularly regarding workforce, delays to treatment and care, and a lack of information and support for patients. Nationally, there are initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for Parkinson’s patients, including the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit and the Getting It Right First Time Neurology Programme. NHS England (NHSE) has established a Neurology Transformation Programme, which has developed a new model of integrated care to support integrated care boards to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients.

We have set up a UK-wide Neuro Forum, to bring together key stakeholders from across all four nations, to share learning, best practice examples and potential solutions.

NHSE commissions the specialised elements of Parkinson’s care that patients may receive from 27 specialised neurology centres across England. Within specialised centres, multidisciplinary teams ensure patients can access a range of health professionals and specialised treatment, according to their needs.

A central part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we train and provide the staff the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities. This summer, we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan aiming to treat patients on time again. We will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it, including in neurology.