More than 1 in 4* people with Parkinson’s in the UK is admitted into hospital each year and the Parkinson’s Disease Society (PDS) has launched a free washbag full of tips and advice to help them get their medication on time during their hospital stay. When they don’t, their ability to manage their symptoms may be lost, for example, they may suddenly not be able to move, get out of bed or walk down a corridor.

The new materials form part of the PDS’s ‘Get it on time’ campaign, launched in 2006 to ensure that all people with Parkinson’s get their medication on time every time in hospital.  The charity’s new free ‘Get it on time’ washbag contains: a detailed guide including useful tips on how to prepare for a hospital stay, what to prepare and who to talk to, a medication record, a card to put by their bed and tear off reminder slips to alert staff to their Parkinson’s. 

In addition to the washbag, the PDS has produced country-specific leaflets for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  These give patients the information they need to report an incident to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) either directly or through a healthcare professional and to make a formal or informal complaint if they have had problems with the timing of their Parkinson’s medication or any other medicines management difficulties during their stay. 

Steve Ford, Chief Executive of the Parkinson’s Disease Society said: “The ‘Get it on time’ campaign has already made a big difference to the lives of many people with Parkinson’s and their families across the UK.  We are sure that these materials will go even further, giving people the tools they need to explain to hospital staff why they need their medication at certain times.  The campaign is not about undermining staff working in hospitals – it’s about helping staff understand the complexities of the condition and preventing problems arising.”

Problems with the timing of Parkinson’s medication in hospital can have a significant impact on the experience of people in hospitals and create additional pressure on hospital staff.  In a survey of Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists carried out in 2006**, nine out of ten nurses felt that patients with Parkinson’s can experience clinical problems or an extended hospital stay as a result of missed or late administration of their medication.  Recent analysis of Hospital Admissions Data for England 2005/6 revealed that People with Parkinson’s admitted to hospital stayed in hospital for on average 5 days longer than a comparable population.

The ‘Get it on time’ washbag and complaints leaflets are available to order free of charge from Sharward Services Ltd, Westerfield Business Centre, Main Road, Westerfield, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9AB.  Tel: 01473 212 115, Fax: 01473 212 114, Email: pds@sharward.co.uk

Or through the PDS website www.parkinsons.org.uk

Ends

Ref: 140/2007

Notes to editors
* According to Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) date, 34,839 people with Parkinson’s were admitted into hospital in England in 2005/6. There were approximately 101,3800 people with Parkinson’s in England (based on mid-year population estimates 2005/6 and a prevalence of 1 in 500 people). 

** Survey of Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists
To support the Get it on time campaign, some research amongst Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists (PDNS) was undertaken, to see the nature and extent of problems that exist regarding medicines’ management in hospitals around the UK at the moment.  81 responses were received, representing 40% of PDNSs working across the UK.

About the Parkinson’s Disease Society

1. The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS) is the UK's leading authority on the condition.  We campaign for a better quality of life for people with Parkinson's wherever they live in the   UK.  We provide expert information on all aspects of Parkinson's and a local support network for people with Parkinson's, their carers, families and friends.  We are the UK's leading non-commercial funder of research into the cause, prevention and improved management of Parkinson's and are confident that our work will help lead to a cure.  All our work is funded by charitable donations and we are heavily reliant on legacies in people's wills.

2. Our free phone helpline which provides help and advice to all people affected by Parkinson's can be reached by calling 0808 800 0303 Monday – Friday 09:30am – 09:00 pm and Saturday 09:30am – 05:30pm

3. The Society continues to increase its funding (£4.5 million in 2007) for research into prevention and eventual cure of the condition as well as striving to reach all people with Parkinson’s Disease with information and support.

Andrea Ttofa
Media and Communications Manager
Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom
215 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London
SW1V 1EJ

Direct line: 020 7963 9300
Fax: 020 7233 9908
Freephone Helpline: 0808 800 0303
Email: attofa@parkinsons.org.uk <mailto:attofa@parkinsons.org.uk>
Charity registered in England and Wales No. 258197 and in Scotland No. SCO37554