Rugby MP Mark Pawsey this week joined charity Parkinson’s UK to mark 200 years since Parkinson’s was first recognised as a condition.
At the parliamentary event in Westminster on Tuesday 5 December, Mark met with representatives from the charity and people affected by Parkinson’s to hear about the charity’s ambition to bring forward the day when no one fears Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s UK highlighted the issues faced by people with Parkinson’s, including mental health problems, a common but often overlooked symptom of the neurological condition. A ground-breaking inquiry is being conducted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s into access to timely and appropriate mental health support, with the findings expected next year.
Parkinson’s affects one in 500 people in Rugby and Bulkington, and can cause a myriad of symptoms including insomnia, depression, and hallucinations, which can rob people of their independence. But through more research, improved services, and empowering people with Parkinson’s to take control, their lives can be turned around.
To support this, Parkinson’s UK wants to see quality services as standard for the 127,000 people with Parkinson’s in the UK, including greater support for those with mental health conditions.
After attending the event, Mark said:
“It is not well known that mental health symptoms are common with Parkinson’s. I want to help ensure that people in Rugby and Bulkington get the support they need, when they need it. As the President of the Rugby Branch of Parkinson’s UK, I know that there is really great support available locally to those diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and their families.”
Mark continued:
“I recently supported local resident Andy Martin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2012. In September 2017 Andy walked from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 30 days, raising over £4,000 for Parkinson’s UK. Andy’s incredible achievement is a demonstration of how people with Parkinson’s can be still take control of their lives and do something amazing.”
Mark concluded:
“I look forward to seeing the report into mental health support for those with Parkinson’s by the Parliamentary Group so that I can continue to work locally and nationally to improve mental health services for everyone affected by the condition.”
Parkinson’s UK Chief Executive Steve Ford said:
"With 2017 marking such a significant anniversary for us, we wanted to reflect on what we have achieved and what we have yet to do in order to improve the lives of everybody affected by Parkinson’s, but we can’t do this alone. That’s why it’s brilliant Mark has pledged to help us improve mental health services for people with Parkinson’s.”