Your healthcare team

Your healthcare team helps you manage your Parkinson's symptoms. The team is sometimes called a multidisciplinary team, or MDT for short.

Everyone’s experience of Parkinson’s is different. So which healthcare professionals you see will depend on how your symptoms affect you. It’s important to ask for help from your healthcare team as early as possible. This means your symptoms are managed well right from the start.

Your GP, specialist, or Parkinson's nurse can refer you to see healthcare professionals in the team and give you more information on how they can help. In some areas of the UK, you might be able to refer yourself.

You’re the centre of your team. You should be able to see a healthcare professional when you need to. But in some areas there are long NHS waiting lists, or services aren’t available. Or you may not be clear which member of the team can help you.

General practitioner (GP)

If you think you have Parkinson's, the first person you should see is your GP.

Your GP should refer you to a Parkinson's specialist doctor for diagnosis. The GP can also refer you to a range of other healthcare professionals, such as psychologists and physiotherapists.

Your GP may know you well, which can be helpful. But the average GP will only have 3 or 4 patients with Parkinson's, and it’s unlikely they will know as much about the condition as specialists do.

They will be able to give you support with other ways to stay well, including offering a flu vaccine.

Parkinson’s nurses

Parkinson’s nurses have specialist experience, knowledge and skills in Parkinson’s. They can support you with symptoms, side effects and any other medical issues you might be having problems with.

A large part of their role is helping to manage your medication, so you get the best results and fewer side effects.

Your specialist would usually refer you to them once you get your diagnosis.

Read our information on Parkinson's nurses.

Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists can help you stay as independent and as safe as possible.

They assess how able you are to carry out day-to-day activities and suggest ways of making your home and workplace safer or more manageable. They may recommend equipment for your home, such as grab rails. Or discuss bigger changes such as a stair lift or a wet room.

They may be able to help you find strategies to deal with anxiety. And to help plan and pace yourself throughout the day.

Find out more about occupational therapy and Parkinson's.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists (sometimes called physios) can help you keep moving and functioning as much as possible.

They can help you with your fitness levels and to maintain good posture and balance. They can suggest ways you can get the most out of physical activity and exercise.

Find out more about physiotherapy and Parkinson's.

Counsellors and therapists

Counsellors and therapists can help you manage your mental health. This may include any feelings of anxiety, low mood or depression.