Parkinson’s specialist health workforce
Find out what we believe about the Parkinson’s specialist health workforce in England
This policy briefing has been developed with advice and guidance from people with Parkinson's, the people who love and care for them, health care professionals and other experts.
What do we mean by Parkinson’s specialist health workforce?
The Parkinson’s specialist health workforce is a multidisciplinary team that includes a consultant neurologist or consultant geriatrician, Parkinson's specialist nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, neuropsychologist and neuropsychiatrist, all specialising in or with expertise in Parkinson's.
What we believe
We believe that every person with Parkinson's should have timely access to specialist, high quality, integrated, multidisciplinary care whenever and wherever they need it.
People living with Parkinson’s are facing long waiting times for diagnosis and access to treatment. We believe the NHS workforce plan must make sure everyone with Parkinson’s has access to a specialist.
Why we believe this
Parkinson’s is a complex, progressive neurodegenerative condition, with over 40 symptoms, that affects all aspects of daily living. Everyone has a different experience of living with the condition. There is no cure or treatment to stop or slow the condition's progression. There are currently 166,000 people living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis in the UK.
What's the evidence?
People with Parkinson’s are facing long waits to see a specialist, such as a neurologist. In May 2025, only about half of patients in England were seen by neurology services within the target 18 weeks. It’s not just long waiting lists. Over 30,000 people with Parkinson’s across the UK have limited or no access to a Parkinson’s specialist nurse. That's 1 in 5 people living with the condition. People with Parkinson’s are waiting too long to get diagnosed and to access the crucial treatment and support they need to live well with Parkinson’s.
Read the full Parkinson's UK policy statement on Parkinson's specialist health workforce in England.