Parkinson's Disease Unit - Edgware Community Hospital, Barnet

Ethos

Holistic assessment and treatment of Parkinson's can improve the quality of life of patients, lessen the burden on carers and reduce the economic impact of the condition on health and social services. With this in mind the multidisciplinary Parkinson's clinic was set up in September 1997.

Service model

• The European Parkinson's Disease Association Charter was used as a benchmark upon which the service was developed. The Charter states that patients should be referred to a doctor with a special interest in Parkinson's, must receive an accurate diagnosis, have access to support services, receive continuous care and to be active partners in managing their condition.
• The service is patient-centred, enabling patients and their families to make informed decisions about their care.
• The service integrates health and social care to support patients from diagnosis to the end of life.
• The Parkinson's clinic offers a 'one stop shop' enabling coordinated patient care and reducing the need for patients to deal with multiple appointments from various health care professionals at different sites.
• Operates an open access system for complex Parkinson's patients. This ensures interventions are timely reducing the need for crisis admissions.
• Provides support and advice to carers to lessen the strain on them.
• The service model is cost effective and could be applied to the management of other long term neurological conditions.

Achievements

The service has steadily grown over the years and is currently used by over 1,000 patients from Barnet and the neighbouring boroughs. The service is acknowledged as a centre of excellence.

The clinic is featured on the Department of Health's website as an example of good practice for the management of long-term conditions.

It also featured in the Health Service Journal (July 2006) and BMA news (February 2006) as an innovative practice example under the hidden heroes of the NHS.

This is a truly patient-centred service, which fulfils the recommendations set out in the NICE Guideline and Parkinson's Disease Patient Charter.

Through the integration of health and social care services and the provision of seamless care, patients have experienced significant improvement in their quality of life.

The multidisciplinary approach has helped to increase patient independence, reduce hospital admissions and delay the need for institutional care for many.

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