Parkinson's in Parliament

We work proactively to ensure that MPs and Peers understand the issues affecting people with Parkinson's and their carers and how they can make sure policy reflects their needs.

Image right: John Whittingdale OBE MP, President of our Maldon Branch, congratulates Derek Martin on his Parkinson's UK lifetime membership award.

Parkinson's UK at the 2011 party conferences

We went to all 3 major UK party conferences and spoke to politicians about what they can do to help us improve the lives of people affected by Parkinson's.

Our fringe event 'Mind the Gap' - held jointly with The Stroke Association and Arthritis Research UK - took place at each conference. It addressed how we can improve the disparity between health and social care.

We'll follow up on all the contacts we made with politicians to make sure they act on the promises they've made.

View our photos from the 2011 party conferences on Flickr.

House of Lords debate on access to Parkinson's services

Peers held a wide-ranging debate on inequalities in health and social care provision for people with Parkinson's in January 2011.

Baroness Gale, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parkinson's led calls for the Government to safeguard key services including Parkinson's nurses and care and support.

News story: Health Minister responds to peers' call for end to Parkinson's postcode lottery

Read Baroness Gale's article on ePolitix.com, written ahead of the debate.

You can watch the full debate on the UK Parliament website or read the transcript on Hansard.

What MPs, Peers and Ministers say about Parkinson's

MPs and Peers regularly raise Parkinson's issues with ministers. Here are the latest mentions of Parkinson's in Parliament:

Baroness Gale talks about the Welfare Reform Bill's implications for people with Parkinson's - 13 September 2011
Baroness Thomas of Winchester talks about the effect of proposed changes to Employment and Support Allowance on people with Parkinson's - 16 March 2011
Duncan Hames MP asks about the effect of assessing claimants for the Disability Living Allowance on people with Parkinson's - 9 March 2011
David Davies MP asks about the the Work Capability Assessment and its appropriateness for people with Parkinson's - 7 February 2011
David Anderson MP asks about the standard of care for people with Parkinson's - 26 October 2010
Baroness Gardner of Parkes, Baroness Thornton, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff and others discuss the role of allied health professionals in caring for people with long-term neurological conditions, including Parkinson's - 11 October 2010
Duncan Hames MP asks about the Work Capability Assessment - 19 July 2010
Baroness Thornton questions the government on Sinemet - 19 July 2010
Russell Brown MP tells the Prime Minister about Parkinson's research - 14 July 2010
Steve Brine MP raises the Sinemet shortage - 12 July 2010
Tony Baldry MP talks about cares of people with Parkinson's - 1 July 2010
Jo Swinson MP and Russell Brown MP debate human tissue research in the context of Parkinson's - 23 June 2010
Baroness Gale pays tribute to carers during Carers Week - 17 June 2010

Parliamentary briefings

We provide regular briefings for MPs and Peers.

To discuss our response to a particular policy issue, or for more information about our parliamentary activity, please email campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk or call us on 020 7963 9349.

All Party Parliamentary Group for Parkinson's

We provide the secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parkinson's disease. This is a group of cross-party MPs and Peers with an interest in Parkinson's.

If you are a parliamentarian and wish to join the APPG please email appg@parkinsons.org.uk

Tell your MP about your experience with Parkinson's

If you want to lobby your MP on Parkinson's-related issues, you can write to them at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

For advice on contacting your MP, email campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk or join our Campaigns Network.

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