Parkinson's sufferers 'getting worse' in hospitals

Many patients with Parkinson's are having to stay in hospital longer and are getting physically worse because of not getting their medication on time, according to a survey.

A survey conducted by the Parkinson's Disease Society among Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists blamed a number of factors, including inflexible drug rounds and a lack of understanding amongst ward staff for the situation.

When a Parkinson's sufferer is unable to take their prescribed medication at the right time, the PDS said, their symptoms become uncontrolled and they can become very ill.

The survey found that seven out of ten nurses believed that people with Parkinson's "could not rely" on getting their medication on time. Ninety per cent also felt that patients with Parkinson's experienced clinical problems or an extended hospital stay as a result of missed or late administration of their medication.

Steve Ford, Chief Executive of the Parkinson's Disease Society said: "It's completely unacceptable that people with Parkinson's are currently anxious about being admitted into hospitals and care homes across the UK because of a real risk that their Parkinson's will get a lot worse. We want all hospitals to immediately implement the standards laid down by the Department of Health for medicines' management and have written to every Chief Executive within the NHS to ask them if they are aware of what is happening for patients with Parkinson's in their hospital.

"This is not about the numbers of nursing staff. It's about wanting hospital employees to understand Parkinson's better and what happens to people when they don't get their medication on time. We urge them to listen to the person with Parkinson's, their carers and their families, as they know exactly how to manage their condition."

The PDS has called for all staff working in hospitals and care homes to have a better understanding of Parkinson's and why the timing of drugs is crucial and for hospital pharmacists to make sure that they always stock a broad range of Parkinson's medication, which is also easily accessible.

It has also called for people with Parkinson's to have the option to self-medicate if they are able to.

The Department of Health said that every hospital patient should receive the correct dose of the correct drug at the right time. "Anything less is unacceptable," a department spokesperson said.

(KMcA/CD)