Following our exclusive interview with Nicky Morgan MP (her first time speaking publicly about Parkinson’s Disease) we can confirm we will be having Mrs Morgan attend our April meeting.
Following our exclusive interview with Nicky Morgan MP (her first time speaking publicly about Parkinson’s Disease) we can confirm we will be having Mrs Morgan attend our April meeting.
Following our exclusive interview with Nicky Morgan MP (her first time speaking publicly about Parkinson’s Disease) we can confirm we will be having Mrs Morgan attend our April meeting.
Nicky Morgan MP What does Parliament plan to do to
prevent another medication drought, such as the current suppliers who market co-careldopa, and that patients and their GPs should explore these options until the Six questions from people with Parkinson’s to their national representative shortage of Sinemet? shortage subsidises. In most cases, the Government does The Government is, however, not interfere with the concerned about the drug market and so, future supply of as far as I am aware, “There are no plans m e d i c i n e s there are no plans to following Brexit introduce new to introduce new and so the measures to prevent supply shortages. measures to prevent implications of leaving the EU on supply shortages.” the pharmaceutical H o w e v e r, the Government does supply are being publish guidance to considered as a industry on how to best minimise the high priority. How will we maintain current research and innovation programmes, levels of research funding into including Horizon Europe, the impact of any medicine shortage. The Department for Health has also Parkinson’s Disease once we leave Euratom Research and Training written to a number of When there is a supply shortage, the the EU? Programme, the Joint European Torus pharmaceutical companies asking Government works closely with (JET) project and ITER. There are a that they have six week's supply of industry to explore the options for I recognise the importance of EU range of precedents for participation medicines in place by March next managing the problem and resolving research funding programmes for by third countries, which by their year in addition to their usual it as quickly as possible. In the case those with Parkinson's disease and so nature are unique to the participating operational reserves. This will ensure of Sinemet, the Government advised I understand your concerns. country. that we minimise the risk of any that there were several other generic For instance, sixteen countries are disruption. The White Paper on the UK and the associated with Horizon 2020 and EU's future relationship has proposed Switzerland has an agreement on continued cooperation on science and scientific and technical cooperation innovation. This could include with Euratom. The accord should also How can our MP work more closely with the All-Party Parliamentary participation in European research allow the UK and the EU to discuss Group on Parkinson's? funding programmes such as Horizon and agree the UK's participation in Europe and the Joint European Torus other programmes in the future." All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are a good way for MPs from across project: the political spectrum to take a collaborative approach to tackling issues of I am supportive of such an agreement concern. Whilst I would be unable to join another APPG at this time given "On EU research funding and so I shall continue to press current diary pressures, I would be more than happy to discuss any concerns programmes, the UK wishes to Ministers to negotiate our access to that you have with their Chair, Madeleine Moon MP. explore association in these programmes. prescription items are dispensed accepted a number of access to psychological therapies I have Parkinson’s and work. Why without charge. recommendations on how to improve [sic] services for those with long am I paying so much for my the process and the Department for term conditions. This will be prescriptions? In addition, there is already a Work and Pensions has said that it integrated into easily accessible, provision in place for people who will continue to review and refine it existing primary or secondary care require multiple prescriptions, such in order to improve its efficiency, services. NHS England is also as those with long-term conditions effectiveness and the claimant committed to meeting the emotional, who have to pay charges. The experience. cognitive, and mental health needs of Prescription Prepayment Certificate patients with neurological conditions, (PPC) allows holders to pay no Why are BaME people with and so it has been working with the further charge at the point of Parkinson’s less likely to be Neurological Alliance to ensure that dispensing, with no limit of the diagnosed, seek treatment, access it consistently does so. number of items which can be support and disclose their obtained under the certificate. The condition in the workplace? More widely, the NHS is working to I recognise that there have been Government has supported this improve care for people with long- concerns about the prescription scheme by freezing the cost of the I am aware of the problem of health term conditions. NHS England charges for people with long-term PPC for another year, meaning that a inequality more widely, especially commissions the specialised conditions, including Parkinson's, holder of a 12-month PPC can get all regarding mental health. elements of Parkinson’s care that particularly following the 20 pence the prescriptions they need for patients may receive from 25 price increase this year for each roughly £2 per week. However, I have not been able to find specialised neurological treatment medicine or appliance dispensed. any information on whether the centres across England. I and aware Why are people with Parkinson's However, it is the case that Government has received any that NHS England has published a out of work struggling to access prescription charges generate a representations on Parkinson's service specification setting out what PIP or ESA? valuable income to the NHS budget specifically or if ministers have providers music have in place to of several hundred million pounds undertaken any work in this area. I deliver specialised neurological care. I have not yet had any local residents per year. Crucially, this is money have, therefore taken the opportunity This supports equity of access to high with Parkinson's contact me to say contributing to patient care that to write to Steve Brine MP, Minister quality services for patients where’ve that they are having difficulty would have to be found elsewhere if for Public health and primary care, they live. accessing PIP or ESA. If you are, these charges were reduced or for his comments on the matter. I please do get in touch with my abolished. shall of course, write to you when I The National Institute for Health and Caseworker, Jane, on 01509 262723 to discuss your situation as she would have received his response. Care Excellence has also recently There is also an extensive system of be happy to assist. updated its guidance on the prescription charge exemptions in Finally I would like to briefly set out diagnosis, treatment and management England. This includes provision for I am, however, aware that there have what other measures are being of Parkinson’s Disease. These new people on low incomes who can been concerns about the Personal implemented to support people with guidelines will ensure that people apply for free prescriptions through Independence Payment (PIP) Parkinson’s Disease. with Parkinson’s are able to access the NHS Low Income Scheme, or assessment process more generally the best possible care and treatment who get free prescriptions due to the I am pleased that the Government is and I am pleased that the system has in order to manage their condition receipt of certain benefits. The implementing The Five Year undergone extensive independent effectively. system of exemptions taken as a Forward View for Mental Health whole means that 90 per cent of review. The Government has already which prioritises the expansion of Loughborough, 20th November 2018