The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations include:
- People with suspected Parkinson’s disease should be referred quickly and untreated to a specialist with expertise in the differential diagnosis of this condition.
- The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease should be reviewed regularly and reconsidered if atypical clinical features develop.
- People with Parkinson’s disease should have access to specialist nursing care which may be provided by a Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist.
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy should be made available to people with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common progressive neurological condition, estimated to affect 100–180 people per 100,000 of the population. There is a rising prevalence with age and a higher prevalence and incidence of Parkinson’s disease in males.
Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, said: “This guideline offers best practice advice on the care of people with Parkinson’s disease. It supports healthcare professionals in identifying the most appropriate care. We expect the guideline to bring about important changes to the standard of care received by people with Parkinson’s disease and their carers.”
Rosemary Hamill, Northern Ireland Manager, Parkinson’s Disease Society said: "The endorsement of the NICE Guideline for Parkinson’s disease by Department of Health and Social Services is an important and welcome step towards improving healthcare and treatments for the 3,500 people with Parkinson’s in Northern Ireland. The Guideline sets out some important recommendations, such as ensuring all people with the condition have access to the expert advice and help provided by a Nurse Specialist.
“The Guideline states that GPs should not try to diagnose suspected cases of Parkinson's themselves but should refer patients to a specialist who should see them within 6 weeks. Receiving an accurate diagnosis and getting treatment from a specialist is the first step to someone with Parkinson’s being able to continue living their life to the full.
“The Parkinson’s Disease Society wants to work with commissioners and health providers in Northern Ireland as they design services that will make a positive difference to the lives of every person with Parkinson’s in Northern Ireland.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About NICE
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health to the NHS in England and Wales.
NICE produces guidance in three areas of health:
- public health – mandatory guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health for those working in the NHS, local authorities and the wider public and voluntary sector
- health technologies – advisory guidance on the use of new and existing medicines, treatments and procedures within the NHS
- clinical practice – advisory guidance on the appropriate treatment and care of people with specific diseases and conditions within the NHS.
The Department’s link with NICE
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety established formal links with NICE in June 2006. Under arrangements put in place at that time all NICE guidance published from 1 July is reviewed locally for its applicability to Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, is endorsed by the Department for implementation in the Health and Social Care Sector.
The Institute’s guideline on Parkinson’s disease was published in June 2006, immediately prior to the Department’s formal link with NICE. However, in recognition of the devastating nature of the illness and its impact on an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 sufferers and their carers in Northern Ireland, a Ministerial commitment was given in January 2007 to review this guidance for Northern Ireland.
Parkinson’s Disease Guideline
The NICE clinical guideline on Parkinson's disease covers:
- the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and checking the diagnosis regularly;
- the way people with Parkinson's disease should receive information;
- the medicines that can be used;
- other ways of helping with symptoms;
- how to care for people whose mental health is affected;
- the care people with Parkinson's disease should receive at the end of their life.
The guideline advises that people with suspected mild Parkinson’s Disease should be seen within 6 weeks but new referrals in later disease with more complex problems require an appointment within 2 weeks, and that people diagnosed with the disease should be seen at regular intervals of 6 to 12 months to review their diagnosis.
The full guideline is available at www.nice.org.uk/CG035NICEguideline
Parkinson’s Disease Society contacts:
Andrea Ttofa, Media and Communications Manager, Tel: 020 7963 9300; Email: attofa@parkinsons.org.uk
Grace Henderson, Media and Communications Officer, Tel: 0207 932 1326; Email: ghenderson@parkinsons.org.uk
Jodie Ward, Media and Communications Officer, Tel: 020 7932 1335; Email: jward@parkinsons.org.uk
