The Parkinson's Disease Society has produced a guide for GPs, entitled Parkinson's Aware in Primary Care.

The guide was drawn up after consultation with GPs, nurses, carers and people with Parkinson's. It will be distributed to every GP in the UK.

The aim is to help improve the management of Parkinson's and provide a better quality of life for people living with the condition.

Clear advice

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PDS national and international development consultant Mary Baker said: "In an ever-changing NHS, it is more important than ever before that GPs work together with other professionals and people with Parkinson's and their carers.

"Parkinson's Aware in Primary Care provides clear and practical advice on a whole range of issues involved with managing Parkinson's, not just drug therapy, and will help improve the quality of care available to people with Parkinson's."

Approximately 120,000 people in UK have Parkinson's, a chronic, disabling neurological condition.

The guide highlights the need for:

• Early referral to a doctor with a specialist interest in Parkinson's to confirm the diagnosis and to plan appropriate management.
• Timely and efficient use of drug therapy to control symptoms and address possible complications.
• Both primary and secondary care professionals to refer people with Parkinson's for advice from occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dieticians and other therapists;
• Possible neurosurgery during the latest stages of the disease.