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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which the needs of those who suffer from Parkinson's disease are being met; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which nursing specialists can contribute to the meeting of these needs. [212260] Dr. Ladyman: The national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions, due to be published soon, will have a particular focus on the needs of people with neurological disease--including those with Parkinson's disease. As part of the work in producing this NSF, an external reference group drawn from service users and carers as well as professionals and voluntary groups has advised on the content. The Department has commissioned the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop guidelines for the diagnosis, management and treatment of Parkinson's disease in primary and secondary care. Due to be published in 2006, they will provide guidance on the care pathway for treating Parkinson's disease and getting the balance right between primary and secondary care interventions. The development of Parkinson's disease nurse specialists (PDNS) has been a key step forward in providing better care closer to home for those with this disease. The Parkinson's Disease Society has published a report, "Changing Roles--The Impact of Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists", showing that PDNSs improve the quality of life for individual patients and their families and carers, without raising the cost of care.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

212260; 430 c996W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Health services Diseases Neurology Parkinson's disease

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk