Exclusive Feature
Nicky Morgan MP
Six questions from people with Parkinson’s to their national representative
How will we maintain current
levels of research funding into
Parkinson’s Disease once we leave
the EU?
I recognise the importance of EU
research funding programmes for
those with Parkinson's disease and so
I understand your concerns.
The White Paper on the UK and the
EU's future relationship has proposed
continued cooperation on science and
innovation. This could include
participation in European research
funding programmes such as Horizon
Europe and the Joint European Torus
project:
"On EU research funding
programmes, the UK wishes to
explore association in
research and innovation programmes,
including Horizon Europe, the
Euratom Research and Training
Programme, the Joint European Torus
(JET) project and ITER. There are a
range of precedents for participation
by third countries, which by their
nature are unique to the participating
country.
For instance, sixteen countries are
associated with Horizon 2020 and
Switzerland has an agreement on
scientific and technical cooperation
with Euratom. The accord should also
allow the UK and the EU to discuss
and agree the UK's participation in
other programmes in the future."
I am supportive of such an agreement
and so I shall continue to press
Ministers to negotiate our access to
these programmes.
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
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.
impact of any medicine shortage.
The Department for Health has also
written to a number of
When there is a supply shortage, the
pharmaceutical companies asking
Government works closely with
that they have six week's supply of
industry to explore the options for
medicines in place by March next
managing the problem and resolving
year in addition to their usual
it as quickly as possible. In the case
operational reserves. This will ensure
of Sinemet, the Government advised
that we minimise the risk of any
that there were several other generic
disruption.
How can our MP work more closely with the All-Party Parliamentary
Group on Parkinson's?
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are a good way for MPs from across
the political spectrum to take a collaborative approach to tackling issues of
concern. Whilst I would be unable to join another APPG at this time given
current diary pressures, I would be more than happy to discuss any concerns
that you have with their Chair, Madeleine Moon MP.

I have Parkinson’s and work. Why
am I paying so much for my
prescriptions?


I recognise that there have been
concerns about the prescription
charges for people with long-term
conditions, including Parkinson's,
particularly following the 20 pence
price increase this year for each
medicine or appliance dispensed.
However, it is the case that
prescription charges generate a
valuable income to the NHS budget
of several hundred million pounds
per year. Crucially, this is money
contributing to patient care that
would have to be found elsewhere if
these charges were reduced or
abolished.
There is also an extensive system of
prescription charge exemptions in
England. This includes provision for
people on low incomes who can
apply for free prescriptions through
the NHS Low Income Scheme, or
who get free prescriptions due to the
receipt of certain benefits. The
system of exemptions taken as a
whole means that 90 per cent of
prescription items are dispensed
without charge.
In addition, there is already a
provision in place for people who
require multiple prescriptions, such
as those with long-term conditions
who have to pay charges. The
Prescription Prepayment Certificate
(PPC) allows holders to pay no
further charge at the point of
dispensing, with no limit of the
number of items which can be
obtained under the certificate. The
Government has supported this
scheme by freezing the cost of the
PPC for another year, meaning that a
holder of a 12-month PPC can get all
the prescriptions they need for
roughly £2 per week.
Why are people with Parkinson's
out of work struggling to access
PIP or ESA?
I have not yet had any local residents
with Parkinson's contact me to say
that they are having difficulty
accessing PIP or ESA. If you are,
please do get in touch with my
Caseworker, Jane, on 01509 262723
to discuss your situation as she would
be happy to assist.
I am, however, aware that there have
been concerns about the Personal
Independence Payment (PIP)
assessment process more generally
and I am pleased that the system has
undergone extensive independent
review. The Government has already
accepted a number of
recommendations on how to improve
the process and the Department for
Work and Pensions has said that it
will continue to review and refine it
in order to improve its efficiency,
effectiveness and the claimant
experience.
Why are BaME people with
Parkinson’s less likely to be
diagnosed, seek treatment, access
support and disclose their
condition in the workplace?
I am aware of the problem of health
inequality more widely, especially
regarding mental health.
However, I have not been able to find
any information on whether the
Government has received any
representations on Parkinson's
specifically or if ministers have
undertaken any work in this area. I
have, therefore taken the opportunity
to write to Steve Brine MP, Minister
for Public health and primary care,
for his comments on the matter. I
shall of course, write to you when I
have received his response.
Finally I would like to briefly set out
what other measures are being
implemented to support people with
Parkinson’s Disease.
I am pleased that the Government is
implementing The Five Year
Forward View for Mental Health
which prioritises the expansion of
access to psychological therapies
[sic] services for those with long
term conditions. This will be
integrated into easily accessible,
existing primary or secondary care
services. NHS England is also
committed to meeting the emotional,
cognitive, and mental health needs of
patients with neurological conditions,
and so it has been working with the
Neurological Alliance to ensure that
it consistently does so.
More widely, the NHS is working to
improve care for people with long-
term conditions. NHS England
commissions the specialised
elements of Parkinson’s care that
patients may receive from 25
specialised neurological treatment
centres across England. I and aware
that NHS England has published a
service specification setting out what
providers music have in place to
deliver specialised neurological care.
This supports equity of access to high
quality services for patients where’ve
they live.
The National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence has also recently
updated its guidance on the
diagnosis, treatment and management
of Parkinson’s Disease. These new
guidelines will ensure that people
with Parkinson’s are able to access
the best possible care and treatment
in order to manage their condition
effectively.
Loughborough, 20th November 2018