24th March 2010

Parkinson's UK launches General Election manifesto

Parkinson’s UK has published a manifesto for the 2010 UK General Election, setting out the main priorities that people affected by Parkinson’s have told them they want the next government to look at.

Parkinson’s UK has published a manifesto for the 2010 UK General Election, setting out the main priorities that people affected by Parkinson’s have told them they want the next government to look at.

Their 3 pledges: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about_us/policy_and_campaigns-1/policy/manifesto.aspx for Parkinson’s highlight areas where politicians can make a big difference to the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s.

Pledge 1: Fair access to health and social care

Everybody affected by Parkinson’s should have access to the right health and social care – wherever they live.

  • More than 1 in 4 people have never met with a Parkinson’s nurse, yet they can cut hospital admissions for people with Parkinson’s by 50%.
  • Nearly half have never seen a physiotherapist, who can help people avoid falls, injuries and admissions to hospital.
  • Less than half of carers who say they need a break from caring have had one.
Why this makes financial sense
  • As little as an extra £10,000 for each area is needed to provide key recommended healthcare services for people with Parkinson’s.
  • The NHS can save around £56million with the right community support through nurses and therapists.
  • Parkinson’s nurses for all could potentially save the NHS around £6million a year in England by cutting outpatient care.

Pledge 2: Access to the right benefits and financial support

People with Parkinson’s should be able to receive the financial support they need.

  • 66% of people under 65 with Parkinson’s feel they have been wrongly forced into job seeking – the tick-box test for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) does not consider fluctuating conditions like Parkinson’s.
  • ESA assessors should have training on complex conditions like Parkinson’s – so that assessments are fair.

People with Parkinson’s can take up to 15 medicines a day – no one should face financial difficulty or miss medication because of prescription charges.

  • Parkinson’s UK welcome prescription charges being abolished in Wales, and phased out in Northern Ireland and Scotland – they believe that people with Parkinson’s living in England should also benefit from this.
Why this makes financial sense
  • If people don’t take their medication there’s a hidden cost – more hospital admissions and extra community support.

Pledge 3: Government commitment to invest in a cure and better treatments

Long-term investment in neurological research can help us find a cure and better treatments.

  • The Government must continue to invest in our scientists and clinicians, and support innovation in our universities and hospitals so the UK keeps its position as a global leader in Parkinson’s research.
  • Long approval times for clinical trials are holding back a cure – the Government needs to cut bureaucracy and fast track promising therapies so people can benefit more quickly from the research.
Why this makes financial sense
  • Long-term investment leads to more effective treatments and gets people with Parkinson’s closer to a cure, which will reduce NHS and social care costs.
  • Strengthening the UK’s infrastructure in Parkinson’s research will contribute to a world-class research environment and stronger economy.

For a copy of the Parkinson’s UK manifesto, please contact them on 020 7963 9349 or email campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk

If you would like a copy of the manifesto in Welsh, please contact the Parkinson’s UK Wales office on 0844 225 3784 or email asmith@parkinsons.org.uk

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