Helpline: 0808 800 0303

Parkinson's research highlighted at House of Lords event

14 December 2011

Lord Walton at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Parkinson's research dinner December 2011The All Party Parliamentary Group for Parkinson's (APPG) hosted a research dinner at the House of Lords last night.

40 guests including Professor David Burn, Director of the Institute for Ageing and Health at Newcastle University, celebrated the achievements made in Parkinson's research.

The dinner was hosted by Baroness Gale, Chair of the APPG.

Guests also discussed what still needs to be done to improve the UK research environment to encourage more groundbreaking Parkinson's research.

Image right: Lord Walton speaking at the research dinner 

Parkinson's research

We need to improve the research and innovation environment across the UK, to maximise the potential for all strands of Parkinson's research.

Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Innovation

Parkinson's UK Chair, Liz Wolstenholme, spoke about her experiences of living with Parkinson's and how research can help.

Dr Kieran Breen, our Director of Research and Innovation, said:

"We have made great strides in the UK towards understanding the causes and potential treatments for Parkinson's.

"But we need to improve the research and innovation environment across the UK, to maximise the potential for all strands of Parkinson's research." 

There were questions and discussion with Tony Baldry MP, co-chair of the APPG for Carers.

Lord Walton, a leading neurological expert in the Lords and Lord Willis, Chair of the Association of Medical Research Charities, also contributed to the debate.

Support from parliamentarians

Baroness Gale, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Parkinson's, said it was a great evening. She also commented:

"The APPG will be looking at these issues as part of our work this year, and will ensure that they continue to be on the Government's agenda." 

We will be following up with parliamentarians to take forward these issues. This is especially in the light of the Government's recent announcement on a new UK Life Sciences Strategy which aims to continue the UK's innovation in this field.

Read our briefing for the House of Lords research dinner December 2011 (PDF, 120KB) to find out about the key research issues discussed.

Find out more