To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will invest in mental health services for people affected by Parkinson's.
Answered on
5 September 2017
As set out in Implementing the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health the expansion of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services will focus on people with long term conditions, including neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, and/or medically unexplained symptoms. New psychological therapy provision will see physical and mental health care provision co-located. Therapy will be integrated into existing medical pathways and services – either primary care, or secondary care services including neurology. The report can be viewed here:
www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/taskforce/imp/
Although the majority of people with Parkinson’s can be cared for through routine access to primary and secondary care, NHS England commissions the specialised elements of Parkinson’s care that patients may receive from 24 specialised neurological treatment centres across England. Within these centres neurological multidisciplinary teams ensure patients can access a range of health professionals, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, and that they can receive specialised treatment and support, according to their needs. Data from the National Health Service general practitioner survey has consistently indicated that people with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s, have the highest levels of anxiety and depression. This is an important issue and we are working with the Neurological Alliance who published a report on mental health and neurological conditions, Parity of esteem for people affected by neurological conditions: meeting the emotional, cognitive & mental health needs of neurology patients on 5 July this year. The Neurology Advisory Group will ensure that there is system alignment and a national approach when considering the recommendations, which will be of benefit to patients. The Neurological Alliance report can be found at the following link: