💙 Parkinson’s Awareness Month

• First Ever Debate on Parkinson’s: The debate was secured by Graeme Downie to discuss Parkinson’s disease during Parkinson’s Awareness Month, marking the first full debate on this topic in the UK Parliament.

• Need for Action Beyond Awareness: The debate emphasized the need to move beyond just raising awareness about Parkinson’s and take concrete actions to support those affected.

• Statistics and Impact: Highlighted that approximately 153,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson’s, which is a progressive and complex neurological condition affecting mobility, speech, and mental health.

• The Parky Charter: A five-point plan backed by major Parkinson’s charities was discussed, advocating for speedy specialist access, instant information at diagnosis, a Parkinson’s passport, comprehensive care, and a quest for a cure.

• Diagnosis Delays and Issues: Concerns were raised about the long waiting times for neurology consultations, with many patients not receiving timely diagnoses or subsequent care, impacting their quality of life.

• Support for Volunteers and Community Groups: The debate recognized the crucial role of volunteers and community groups in supporting Parkinson’s patients, with calls for increased volunteer engagement and support.

• Personal Stories and Community Efforts: Several MPs shared personal stories of constituents living with Parkinson’s and highlighted community initiatives like exercise classes and fundraising efforts.

• Funding and Research: There was a strong call for increased government funding for Parkinson’s research, with mentions of current and past government investments and the need for more.

• Challenges with the Benefits System: Issues with the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment and eligibility were discussed, suggesting reforms to better support those with Parkinson’s.

• Government Commitments: The Minister responded with commitments to meeting with stakeholders, improving access to specialists, and supporting the integration of care through initiatives like the NHS Neuroscience Transformation Programme and the Neuro Forum.

• Workforce and Care Improvements: Promises were made to address the shortage of neurologists and specialist nurses as part of the upcoming NHS 10-year health plan, aiming to improve care for Parkinson’s patients.

• Call for Dignity and Independence: The debate concluded with a unified call to ensure that people with Parkinson’s receive the dignity and support they need to live well with their condition.

The session on Parkinson’s Awareness Month displayed a remarkably low level of disagreement among the participants. The debate was characterized by a high degree of unity and cooperation across the political spectrum, with several key indicators pointing towards minimal discord:

1. Unanimous Support for the Cause: Every speaker, across all parties, expressed strong support for improving Parkinson’s care, raising awareness, and advancing research towards a cure. For instance, Saqib Bhatti (Meriden and Solihull East) (Con) specifically stated, ‘I do not think I disagreed with him on a single thing’, referencing Graeme Downie’s (Dunfermline and Dollar) (Lab) initial speech. This sentiment was echoed throughout the session with phrases such as ‘I agreed with everything he said’ from Seamus Logan (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East) (SNP).

2. Consensus on Key Issues: There was a clear consensus on the key issues at hand, including the need for more specialist nurses, faster diagnosis times, better support networks, increased research funding, and the implementation of the Parky Charter. All speeches consistently advocated for these same points without any notable dissent.

3. Constructive Criticism and Suggestions: Even when criticisms were raised, they were done so constructively and with a focus on finding solutions. For example, Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP) raised concerns about the personal independence payment (PIP) system but emphasized working constructively with the Government to address these issues.

4. Acknowledgment and Praise: There was widespread acknowledgment and praise for each other’s contributions and efforts, including commendations for personal stories shared, charity work, and government efforts. This further indicates a supportive rather than adversarial atmosphere.

5. Shared Personal Stories and Experiences: The session frequently featured personal anecdotes and stories from constituents, which fostered empathy and unity among the speakers rather than leading to contention or debate.

6. Forward-looking Statements: Members concluded their speeches with forward-looking statements focused on cooperation and action, such as Gregory Stafford’s (Farnham and Bordon) (Con) pledge to work ‘constructively with the Government and with Members from all parties’ to accelerate progress.

The evidence of near-total agreement and the absence of any contentious or divisive issues during the session firmly justify a rating of 1, indicating a very low level of disagreement.