Parkinson's UK in Parliament

We work with MPs and members of the House of Lords in the UK parliament in Westminster, as well as members of the Scottish and Welsh parliaments and the Northern Ireland Assembly on a cross-party basis, to make sure the voices of people with Parkinson's are heard across all levels of government.

We also provide administrative support, known as the 'secretariat', to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Parkinson's. 

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to know more about our work in parliament.

What is the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson's?

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Parkinson's is a cross-party group of MPs and peers with an interest in Parkinson's. Any member of any party across both Houses of Parliament can join.

The Group aims to raise awareness of the condition among parliamentarians and to influence legislation and policy-makers to improve the lives of people affected by Parkinson's.

Parkinson's UK provides administration support (known as the secretariat) to the APPG.

Who's on the APPG on Parkinson's?

Mary Glindon MP - Chair

Mary Glindon is the Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, and has been an MP since 2010.

Baroness Browning - Officer 

Baroness Browning has been a Conservative Member of the House of Lords since 2010. 

David Burton-Sampson MP - Officer

David Burton-Sampson MP has been the Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh since 2024. 

Steffan Aquarone MP - Officer 

Steff Aquarone MP has been the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk since 2024. 

The Group's remit

The APPG's remit includes:

• keeping Parkinson's on the political agenda
• investigating, monitoring and reporting on issues and providing a forum for discussion
• exploring particular issues affecting the Parkinson's community in depth to both highlight them and seek solutions through APPG inquiries
• exerting collective pressure with the ultimate goal of ensuring equal access to recommended appropriate health and social services to all people with Parkinson's and their carers
• providing regular briefings to members of the Group and other parliamentarians to ensure awareness of the needs of people with Parkinson's and their carers.

How can I join the APPG for Parkinson's?

If you're a parliamentarian and would like to join the APPG, please email [email protected].

The APPG for Parkinson's is listed on the official register of All-Party Parliamentary Groups.

What has the APPG done so far?

In 2018, the APPG launched a groundbreaking report looking at mental health support for people with Parkinson's who experience anxiety or depression. Read the APPG's Mental health matters too report (PDF, 4MB).

The report exposed many challenges people with Parkinson's face in receiving high quality, timely treatment that meets their needs.

The report made several recommendations to the government and other relevant authorities that could improve mental health services and make it easier for people with Parkinson's to access them.

For more information, see our mental health matters too campaign page.

Members of the Group also regularly table parliamentary questions and speak in debates in support of people with Parkinson's and carers.

Previous inquiries

In 2013, the APPG held an inquiry into NHS continuing healthcare in England and revealed huge failings with the system. Read the Group's Continuing to care? report (PDF, 3MB) detailing their findings.

Another inquiry into access to health and social care for Parkinson's found major inequalities in access to information and services for people affected by the condition.