Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what barriers to accessing mental health services his Department has identified for people with Parkinson's disease.

NHS England has initiated a Neurology Advisory Group, with the purpose of seeking alignment between programmes in NHS England, the other health Arm’s Length Bodies and system partners, including the Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, relevant to people with neurological conditions. The group has acknowledged that data from the NHS GP survey has consistently indicated that people with Neurological Conditions have the highest levels of anxiety and depression. This is an important issue and we are working with the Neurological Alliance who are due to publish a report on Mental Health and Neurological conditions in early summer. The Neurology Advisory Group will ensure that there is system alignment and a national approach to any recommendations, which will be of benefit to patients.

As set out in Implementing the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health the expansion of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services will focus on people with long term conditions or medically unexplained symptoms. New psychological therapy provision will see physical and mental health care provision co-located. Therapy will be integrated into existing medical pathways and services – either primary care, or secondary care services including Neurology.

The report can be viewed here:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/taskforce/imp/