Our views

Public policy has a huge role to play in the lives of people with Parkinson's and carers. From prescription charges through to Parkinson's research, we engage with decision makers at all levels to ensure that our community's views are heard.

Read our policy statements below to see what we believe about major public policy issues.

We need to be clear about what our opinion is on these issues, as unless we have a clear policy, we can't begin to campaign for change.

Our policy statements are developed on the basis of discussions with people with Parkinson's and their carers. We also talk to health and social care professionals and other experts.

This all forms an important part of the process for developing our policy statements.

Policy work in action

Improving policies towards the care, treatment and welfare of people with Parkinson's means working in a number of ways:

• meeting with ministers, politicians and civil servants to raise key issues and influence policy appropriately. Read about our work in the UK parliaments and assemblies
• responding to relevant government consultations
• organising events in the UK parliaments and assemblies and engaging with politicians during the party conference season to raise awareness and build support
• working with professional associations and decision makers in the NHS and social care to press for better standards of care
• forming and joining alliances with other organisations to push for change
• commissioning research to build the evidence base and help influence policy direction.

Our Policy Panel

Our Policy Panel is a group of people with experience of Parkinson's as a condition. They meet twice a year to help us form our official positions on public policy matters.

Dick Coldwell, one of our Policy Panel members, explains the panel's role:

'One of the advantages of being a member of the Policy Panel is being kept abreast of changes and developments in the 'world of Parkinson's while also having the opportunity to contribute one's own views and evidence to it. The Panel also provides an opportunity to meet others who have Parkinson's and to take part in forming a new agenda."

Jane Keene, Panel member explains what the Panel means to her:

”Having been involved with Parkinson's UK for over 22 years, I finally feel I have found the best place for my interest, knowledge and experience on the policy panel, as ultimately this is where change can be affected most for people with Parkinson's”.