People with Parkinson's help shape new parliamentary report on pharmacy services

About the UK Parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee and Independent Expert Panel 

The Health and Social Care Committee is made up of a number of MPs with an interest in health and social care. It created the Independent Expert Panel to work alongside it, which is made up of healthcare policy experts and healthcare professionals who can help inform the Committee’s work. 

The Panel often holds events to hear the experiences of people using particular services or living with health conditions. 

Importantly, it produces reports on its findings, which help the Committee focus its priorities and allow it to question how effective the government is in delivering health and social care services. 

The Panel's latest report has been shaped by the Parkinson's community’s experiences. 

How were people with Parkinson’s involved? 

In May this year, 2 people with Parkinson’s alongside people with other long-term conditions were invited to share their experiences of accessing pharmacy services in England. 

Topics covered during the session included: 

• whether their nearest pharmacy provided the services they need and want 
• the experience of services beyond prescriptions such as quitting smoking
• how medicines prescribed in hospital are managed in the community
• the role of electronic prescribing. 

What’s the outcome of the session? 

This latest report will help parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee hold the government to account for how pharmacy services are delivered in England.

Barrie Smith, who lives with Parkinson’s, said: 

"I agreed to take part as I wanted people to be aware of how ignorance or professional arrogance can impact the life of someone who is taking 'time critical medicine'.

"The panel introduced themselves and I discovered I was 1 of 3 who they were meeting with and all 3 had long-term health issues. In turn, we were each asked for our personal accounts of experiences with pharmacy services, after which they asked more general questions about pharmacists and their services. 

"Why did I do it? I believe in democracy and if it's to truly represent and serve the people, then people's voices should be heard."

What is Parkinson's UK doing? 

We’re delighted that the voices of people with Parkinson’s were heard by health experts and are part of the report that MPs and peers will see too. 

We know how important pharmacy services are to our community. We’ll continue our work engaging with pharmacy organisations, politicians, and our community to emphasise their importance to living well with Parkinson’s. 

Need information and support?

If you have any questions regarding your medication, you can discuss this with your GP, consultant, pharmacist or Parkinson's nurse.

You can also contact our helpline on 0808 800 0303 for support. Unfortunately, we can’t make changes to your medication through this service.