Results of the PDS's members' survey: Life with Parkinson's today - room for improvement

The results of the largest ever survey of people with Parkinson's and carers of the condition have been launched in a report 'Life with Parkinson's today – room for improvement' to coincide with Parkinson's Awareness Week (7-13 April 2008).

The report contains the key findings relating to the following areas:

health care services from diagnosis onwards
information needs of people with Parkinson's
education of professionals
support for living day to day with Parkinson's
the impact of Parkinson's upon carers

The survey, which was completed by more than 13,000 members of the PDS, provides a significant insight into all aspects of life with Parkinson's. The report highlights inconsistencies in access to specialist care across the UK and shows that many carers are not receiving the information or support they need.

More broadly, the survey has increased our understanding of the needs of people living with Parkinson's and will inform our work and development as the leading organisation for people with Parkinson's in the UK.

The survey clearly defines the agenda for change for people with Parkinson's, their carers and families.

We call on health and social care providers to engage with us to understand what their local residents told us and work with us to address the gaps that they highlighted.

We call on researchers to use the range of information that we have gathered to accelerate the pace at which we can find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson's.

And we call on everyone to support the PDS as we drive forward progress and change on the issues highlighted by the thousands of people living with Parkinson's who took the time to complete our survey.

Download a copy of the report 'Life with Parkinson's today – room for improvement' in PDF (939KB)

To order a copy of the report, email pr@parkinsons.org.uk or phone 020 7963 9370.

Additionally, country summaries are available. To order a free copy of the findings that are relevant to where you live, email pr@parkinsons.org.uk or phone 020 7963 9370.