New professional education course launched on restoring therapy services post Covid-19

The course is open to all members of the multidisciplinary team interested in how to restore and reset therapy services post COVID-19. This includes therapists, Parkinson’s nurses, doctors and any healthcare professionals who have an interest in Parkinson’s.

With a clear focus on restoring and restarting therapy services as we move into a 'new normal', the course will cover: 

• The effects of lockdown on a patient living with Parkinson’s
• Resources and guidance available to support individuals recovering from COVID-19
• Overcoming issues and judging the suitability of virtual or face to face consultations for Parkinson’s patients 

Combining both online learning modules and an optional webinar, attendees will also earn Continued Professional Development (CPD) points and a digital badge to show their learning.

Addressing the impact of lockdown for people with Parkinson's

Throughout the course, participants will gain a greater understanding of the wide-ranging effects of lockdown for people with Parkinson's.

Concerningly, a survey conducted by Parkinson’s UK and the University of Lancaster during the pandemic, found that during lockdown over a third of people with Parkinson’s experienced an increase in at least one of their symptoms. 

The course will be delivered by Fiona Lindop a Specialist Physiotherapist and Excellence Network Clinical lead for therapy, based at the University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust. 

Fiona explains: 

“Although people with Parkinson's are not at greater risk of contracting coronavirus, it can increase the motor and non-motor symptoms in those who do, especially those who are on advanced therapies. They are therefore classed by the NHS and government as clinically vulnerable. 

“We also know that many people with Parkinson’s have experienced a deterioration in their condition during the pandemic, which is extremely worrying, and may mean that crucial treatment programmes will need to be reviewed and adjusted. 

“As we start to move out of lockdown into a ‘new normal’, this course is intended to support professionals working with Parkinson’s patients to feel confident about restoring their therapy safely and put in place effective measures, so people living with the condition can get back on track and feel empowered to take back control of their lives with Parkinson’s.”