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Wales - policy and campaigning

We campaign in Wales to make sure that the voices of the 6,000 people with Parkinson's in Wales, and their families and carers, are heard in the National Assembly and Welsh Government.

People's NHS consultation

The Welsh Government have launched a consultation – the People's NHS (PDF 95KB) - on how the Government, the NHS and the public can work better together on improving health and health services.

It proposes the development of a 'compact' with 2 parts. Firstly, an evolving agreement about what are the responsibilities of the Government, the NHS and people across Wales.

Secondly, an ongoing discussion about how people can play a greater part in managing their own health and improving health services in Wales, and how the Government and NHS can help that happen. The consultation document is an invitation to start a discussion about how best to get the relationships right.

If you have any questions please contact Aileen Napier, Wales Manager on 0844 225 3785 or email rm.wales@parkinsons.org.uk.

Mental Health Strategy consultation

'Together for Mental Health' sets out the Welsh Government's ambitions for improving mental health and their vision for 21st century mental health services.

It reinforces the need to promote better mental wellbeing among the whole population and address the needs of people with mental health problems or a mental illness. 

The focus of the strategy is to improve outcomes for service users and their families using a recovery and reablement approach.

For more information please contact Aileen Napier, Wales Manager on 0844 225 3785 or email rm.wales@parkinsons.org.uk.

Social Services bill consultation

New proposals to reform social services in Wales, including giving people more control over the care they receive and increased rights to assessments of their needs have been announced by the Welsh Government. Proposed legislation will:

  • allow Welsh Ministers to consider extending the range of services available by direct payments, meaning people will have more control over the services they use
  • introduce national eligibility criteria and ensure people are assessed on what they need, rather than just on what services are available locally
  • introduce portable assessments, which means people will be entitled to similar services if they move from one part of Wales to another without having their needs re-assessed if they haven't changed
  • require local authorities to provide information to carers on their rights and the services available to them in their local areas
  • overhaul workforce regulation

The consultation on the proposals has now closed.

For more information please contact Aileen Napier, Wales Manager on 0844 225 3785 or email rm.wales@parkinsons.org.uk.

Assembly inquiry into Residential Care

The National Assembly for Wales' Health and Social Care Committee are conducting an Inquiry into Residential Care for Older People.

Our response to the Inquiry into Residential Care for Older People (Word, 255KB)

The inquiry looked at a range of aspects including:

  • how people enter residential care and the availability of alternative community services
  • the staffing issues of residential care provision, including the right skills mix and access to training
  • the experiences of service users and families
  • quality of residential care services
  • effectiveness of regulation and inspection arrangements

To find out more please contact Aileen Napier, Wales Manager on 0844 225 3785 or email rm.wales@parkinsons.org.uk.

Tell your Assembly Members about the importance of Parkinson's nurses

Hywel Griffiths, who has Parkinson's, holding placard 'My nurse is my lifeline'As part of our Fair Care for Parkinson's campaign we're focusing on promoting the impact of Parkinson's nurses in Wales.

Use our simple email template to tell your Assembly Members how important Parkinson's nurses are.

Parkinson's nurses are specially trained to provide expert care and support to people with Parkinson's.

We've produced a report - Parkinson's nurses - affordable, local, accessible and expert care. A guide for planners in Wales.

The report demonstrates the contribution that Parkinson's nurses in Wales make to people affected by Parkinson's and their cost effectiveness to the health service.

Image right: Hywel Griffiths, who has Parkinson's


Other actions you can take

Write to your Health Board and the Health Minister

Write to your Health Board and/or the Health Minister to tell them about the importance of Parkinson's nurses. Address details for Health Boards in Wales

You can adapt the template letters to include your own experiences.


Add your comments to our map

Add your comments to our map and help us show what a difference Parkinson's nurses make across the whole of the UK.

Tell us what your Parkinson's nurse means to you. Or tell us why you need one.

Why we need your help

Not all people with Parkinson's in Wales can access a nurse. In some areas people have no access at all. In other areas the service is limited due to high demand.

Not having enough nurses for the Aneurin Bevan area means that no one is there to offer advice and support when I need it most.

Mike Backhouse, who has Parkinson's

Jenni's nurse is a constant support

Jenni McCabe has Parkinson's, lives in Newport and has access to a Parkinson's nurse:

"I don't believe I would be as well and mobile as I am without the services of my Parkinson's nurse. She has been a constant support during the 10 years since my diagnosis." 

Mike lives in the same area but can't access a nurse

Mike Backhouse has Parkinson's and also lives in Newport:

"Not having enough nurses for the Aneurin Bevan area means that no one is there to offer advice and support when I need it most.

"I hope that the Welsh Government takes notice of this campaign and realise how important it is to have equal access to Parkinson's nurses throughout Wales."

Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010

The Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010 received Royal Assent in November 2010 and is a key step forward in providing support to carers. The measure will place new duties on the NHS and local authorities in Wales, to work on their own or in partnership, to prepare and publish a carers' strategy.

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on draft regulations and guidance to support the implementation of this measure. The regulations and guidance aim to address the gaps in provision of services for carers, and to ensure consistent standards.

Our response to the Carers Measure consultation (Word, 237KB)

White Paper on social services published

The Welsh Assembly Government has published a White Paper on social services - Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action - in February 2011.

The paper puts in place a framework for meeting the challenges facing social services in the next decade and beyond. And it sets out priorities for action.  

It aims to reshape and refocus social services in order to ensure that they remain strong, and can continue to meet citizens' needs and aspirations.


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