Queen's speech announces Personal Care at Home Bill 

18 November 2009

The Parkinson's Disease Society today commented on the Queen's speech, which outlined a proposal of free personal care at home for people who need it most, as part of the Personal Care at Home Bill.

Steve Ford, Chief Executive for the Parkinson's Disease Society said:

"Many of the issues in the Bill announced today in the Queen's speech will go some way to address the concerns outlined in our Fair Care for Parkinson's campaign.

"While we are pleased to see additional funding for personal care at home, we are concerned at the lack of clarity as to whether this applies to younger people with conditions like Parkinson's, who also have considerable needs.

"One in 20 people diagnosed with Parkinson's are under 40, with two-thirds unable to work.

"We also know that working age people with Parkinson's and their carers are typically worse off financially than older people with the condition.

"For people with Parkinson's, a debilitating condition affecting every aspect of daily life, the necessity of care at home before retirement age is a very real possibility."

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