Scotland news and events
What's happening?
Solo Round Scotland
In May 2006 Alan Rankin became the first person to
single-handedly circumnavigate Scotland by boat and bike.
Starting at Kirkcudbright he solo-sailed a 1,000 mile passage
around Scotland and its islands to Blyth on the north-east coast of
England. From there he cycled the 160 miles back to
Kirkcudbright.
The trip took 18 days to complete and raised £13,000 for Ocean
Youth Trust Scotland and the Parkinson's Disease Society.
Alan has written an account of his experience. 'Solo Round
Scotland' (published 30 March 2010) is available from
Amazon and
Waterstones.
Proceeds from royalties will again be donated to ourselves and
Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.
For further background on Alan's challenge, see www.soloroundscotland.com
Scottish Government told of carers’ concerns
The Scottish Government is updating its carers’ strategy. We
have taken the opportunity to tell the Government our concerns
about support for people who provide unpaid care for partners,
family members and friends with Parkinson’s.
We identified these priorities for action:
- Lack of resources
- Poor access to services
- Low use of carers’ assessments
- Poor information
- Lack of short breaks
- Lack of support for employed carers
- Carers living in remote and rural communities
We also highlighted three essential things that carers for
someone with Parkinson’s need:
- Specialist information and support
- Recognition as a person, not just a carer
- Adequate financial support
Read our full Carers’ Strategy
response.
Scottish policy submissions
Three quarters of all Scottish legislation comes from Holyrood,
including all decisions on health and social care. These decisions
can affect people living with Parkinson's throughout Scotland.
We're working to ensure the needs of people affected by
Parkinson's are considered at every level – including the Scottish
Government, Scottish Parliament, NHS Boards, local authorities and
other bodies. We do this in formal and informal ways, in writing
and in person.
Read our latest submissions:
For more information, contact Tanith Muller, Parliamentary and
Campaigns Officer, on 0844 225 3726 or tmuller@parkinsons.org.uk
Research talk at St Andrews University
In November 2009, Professor Philip Winn, Dr Frank Gunn Moore and
Dr Gayle Doherty of St Andrews University talked to
an invited audience about their research into Parkinson's.
Over one hundred people attended including health care
professionals and staff from our Scotland office. The majority of
the audience consisted of people with Parkinson's, their families
and friends from throughout Fife and beyond.
Among them, Michelle Dunstan and Lynn Williamson, who had taken
part in the Glasgow Half Marathon and raised a magnificent £892 for
our Fife Branch.
Their cheque was presented during the evening and was a perfect
example of the many people who are working together to make a
difference to all those affected by Parkinson's.
New NHS Scotland SIGN Guideline on Parkinson's
Scotland's long-awaited SIGN
(Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) Guideline on the
diagnosis and pharmacological management of Parkinson's has been
published in January 2010.
The guideline is an advisory document for health professionals.
Its recommendations about treatment on the basis of the published
research include:
- referring everyone with suspected Parkinson's to a doctor with
expertise in movement disorders for diagnosis, before starting
treatment
- warning people with Parkinson's about the possible side effects
of dopamine agonists, including compulsive behaviours
The guideline focuses on motor symptoms, but also includes some
lesser known non-motor symptoms, such as depression, dementia and
sleep problems.
News story: New NHS Scotland guideline
recommends expert diagnosis
Act now for Fair Care in Scotland
Take action by emailing Scotland's Health Minister, Shona
Robison MSP. Ask her to improve NHS Parkinson's services in
Scotland by implementing the new NHS QIS Clinical
Standards for Neurological Health Services
 This is the first action for
people based in Scotland in our Fair Care
for Parkinson's campaign.
This action aims to highlight the wide variation in access to
essential services and information for people with Parkinson's, and
increase the pressure for the Clinical Standards to be implemented
across Scotland.
The more people who email, the louder our voice will
be.
More information:
Brain Donor Appeal supported by nearly half of Scottish
Parliament
 Nearly half of the Scottish Parliament's 129 members (MSPs)
have pledged their support for the Parkinson's Brain Donor Appeal, which aims to
double the number of people signed up to donate their brains for
research into the condition.
59 MSPs gathered to pose for a series of photos in April 2009 to
help raise publicity in Scotland for the appeal.
Read our full news story Brain Donor Appeal
supported by nearly half of Scottish Parliament
Get involved in fundraising
There are so many ways that you can help us to help people
affected by Parkinson's, and ensure people in Scotland get the
support they need.
Sign up for your favourite run
Once you've signed up, contact Denise McNiven, Scotland
Fundraiser, on 0844 225 3731 or email dmcniven@parkinsons.org.uk
for your free fundraising pack and t-shirt.
- Bupa Great Edinburgh Run - 2 May 2010
This 10k run starts and finishes in the beautiful surroundings of
Holyrood Park. Register on the Great Edinburgh
Run website.
- Resolution Asset Management Women's 10k - 9 May
2010
Take in Glasgow's picturesque South Side,
starting and finishing at Bellahouston Park. Register on the
Run Glasgow website.
- Edinburgh Marathon
- 23 May 2010
Race entry has now closed for
2010 but if you already have your own place, we'd love you on our
team.
- Walk for
Scotland, Edinburgh - 6 June
2010
If running is not your thing then why not walk
instead? Starting in Holyrood Park, choose from three distances:
12, 6.7 or one mile.
- Big Fun Run Dundee - 17 July 2010
This 5k
run is staged in Camperdown Park. Register on the Big Fun Run
website.
- Big Fun Run Perth - 18 July 2010
This 5k
run is staged in North Inch Park. Register on the Big Fun Run
website.
- Forfar 10k - 15 August 2010
Register your
interest with Denise McNiven on 0844 225 3731 or email dmcniven@parkinsons.org.uk
- Great Scottish Run, Glasgow - 5 September
2010
Choose between the half marathon or 10k race. Register on the
Great Scottish Run
website.
Organise an event
- Hold your own
event
You may already be taking part in a run or
holding an event. Why not support us by simply adding sponsorship,
an auction or raffle?
- Hold a Party for
Parkinson's
- Involve your company, workplace or social
club
Whether you want to hold a one-off event to
support us, or make us your charity of the year, we would love to
hear from you.
 Hold a Hidden Gardens day
If you are
interested in gardening, or you know of other willing gardeners in
your area, you could hold a Hidden Gardens day.
To request a Hidden Gardens fundraising pack, contact Denise
McNiven on 0844 225 3731 or email dmcniven@parkinsons.org.uk-
Other ways
To find out more about any of these opportunities to support us,
contact Denise McNiven, Scotland Fundraiser, on 0844 225 3731
or email dmcniven@parkinsons.org.uk
Get involved in volunteering
There are lots of opportunities to volunteer with us in
Scotland, from joining one of our local branch committees, to
helping us at events or fundraising. All new volunteers receive an
induction and support from our team. If you are interested in
knowing more about volunteering with us we would love to hear
from you. To find out more, contact:
More about volunteering your time to help
people with Parkinson's
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