DAT Imaging as a Clinical Decision Tool in Parkinsonism: A Two-Year Audit from a North Welsh UK Movement Disorder Service
Background: Diagnosing Parkinsonism remains a common and clinically significant challenge within movement disorder services, particularly in early disease and in atypical or non-motor–predominant presentations. Dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging is recommended by NICE where diagnostic uncertainty persists; however, real-world evidence demonstrating its impact on clinical decision-making beyond diagnostic confirmation remains limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit of all DAT scans requested within a UK specialist movement disorder service between January 2023 and December 2024
Transforming Parkinson's Disease Care Through Digital Wearables: A Patient-Centred Approach
Improving Quality of Movement Disorder Care for Nursing Home Residents
Introduction Within the Older Person’s Medicine Movement Disorder service at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, we were aware people with Parkinson's (PWP) living in nursing care were not necessarily receiving the same quality of care as other PWP. We have developed a nursing home movement disorder clinic to address this. Methods Practically, approximately 15% of PWP were identified as living in nursing care. After review of the geography and numbers, one consultant and specialist nurse clinic were allocated a month to facilitate care home visits to all PWP within 6 months. After identifying PWP
A service evaluation of the methods and efficacy of the South Manchester Parkinson’s service in diagnosing and managing Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Introduction Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) is characterised by years of motor symptoms preceding cognitive decline, particularly presenting with declining executive function, attention, visuospatial abilities, and psychiatric symptoms. The motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are managed under a Parkinson’s and movement disorder service led by geriatricians or neurologists and should involve a multidisciplinary team. When dementia symptoms develop, patients are generally referred to a memory service led by old age psychiatrists with dementia support advisors and admiral nurses available
From Assessment to Engagement: Inertial Gait Analysis and Remote Exercise for Fall-Risk Prevention
A Service Evaluation of the Barriers and Facilitators to rehabilitation faced by Hospitalised Older Parkinson’s Patients at Great Western Hospital (GWH); as viewed by clinicians
Aims/Purpose: To assess the barriers and facilitators for rehabilitation in the older Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patient population that have been admitted to Great Western Hospital (GWH); as viewed by clinicians who work within the acute inpatient setting. This was accomplished through an internal service evaluation project designed to create a GWH-specific action plan, which may also have broader applicability. Methods: A review of the related literature informed the development of interview questions, which guided 20 semi-structured interviews with clinicians conducted in collaboration with
Real-world effects of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa on gait and balance in people with Parkinson's
Introduction: Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa (Produodopa) is a new subcutaneous infusion run continuously over 24 hours for people with Parkinson’s (PwP). Foslevodopa is a prodrug for levodopa, the most effective treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms. Studies demonstrate that Produodopa improves symptom fluctuations (i.e. less OFF time & less troublesome dyskinesia) compared to oral medications. Gait and balance impairment are key risk factors for falls in advanced Parkinson’s and are less levodopa responsive. However, the impact of Produodopa on gait and balance has not yet been described. Methods
Analysing Motion Capture Kinematics to aid Clinical Assessment and Physiotherapy Strategies in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Enhancing Electrolyte Management in Hospitalised Older Adults Through the Integration of a Trust-Specific Electronic Prescribing
Motor profile and measures of physical function in people with Parkinson's disease in northern Tanzania
Improving visual assessment of older people attending a falls assessment clinic, Whiteabbey Hospital
Improving visual assessment of older people attending a falls assessment clinic, Whiteabbey Hospital
Introduction Falls are common in older adults, resulting in hospitalisation, and significant morbidity and mortality. NICE guidelines recommend that vision should be assessed in adults who fall. However, in a national survey of falls services, 54% of professionals checked vision. The falls assessment clinic allows adults to be assessed by a multiprofessional team including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The aim of this quality improvement project was to improve documentation of visual assessment within the medical notes to >90%. Method and Results Baseline data
Commitment to Residents’ Safe Steps Forward: Individualized Shoes
The Frailty Factor: A QIP on Recognising Frailty in Acute Hospital Admissions
From Zero to Sixty: Revving Up Driving Safety Documentation
A Rapid Community Response to Long Lies in Frail Patients: Reducing Hospital Admissions. A Prospective Service Evaluation.
Research impacts into reality underpinning Falls Prevention and Bone Health Strategy supporting hospital to community focus
Introduction Locally we have the highest percentage of people aged over 65 and highest admissions due to falls in Greater Manchester. The impacts for practice recommendations from the Ethnographic study of experiences of falls in domestic settings and the use of ambulance services, found the need to raise public awareness and understanding of falls risk and provide ambulance crew with falls prevention training. Methods In 2018-2022, the strategy was developed by a partnership collaboration. It was launched in 2022, drawing on the evidence-base, specialist knowledge and learning within the
Introduction of a Combined Anaesthetic-Geriatrician Pre-Op Assessment for Older Patients undergoing Elective Urological Surgery
Improving delirium assessment in gastroenterology inpatients: a two-cycle quality improvement project in a district hospital
IMPACTS OF AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF EXPERIENCES OF FALLS IN DOMESTIC SETTINGS AND THE USE OF AMBULANCE SERVICES
Objectives: The study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the patients’ journey following a fall, from patients and ambulance crew perspectives. Methods: A critical ethnographic approach enabled participants’ values, behaviours and beliefs to be explored. The methods were participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and in-depth field notes. The findings were thematically analysed, and narrative used to add meaning to their experience. Results: The study gained an in-depth understanding of the experiences of crew and patients. For both ambulance crew and patients, there were
Clinical audit of inpatient injurious falls
Background: The local trust inpatient falls rate is 5.27 falls per 1000 bed days. In the previous year (2023/24) this was 5.62 falls per 1000 bed days recorded. This shows a consistent trend of remaining below the national average of 6.63 per 1000 bed days. As a result of this, we are focusing on inpatient injurious falls. Methods: In the hospital, there is an established Falls panel, consisting of leads on safety, safeguarding and specialist in falls prevention, management and bone health treatment. The panel reviews any falls that result in moderate or severe harm, such as fractures, head