Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurodegenerative condition in the world. According to Parkinson’s UK there are currently 145,000 people in the UK living with Parkinson’s and every hour two people receive a diagnosis. With population growth and ageing, Parkinson’s UK estimate it will increase by nearly a fifth to 172,000 by 2030.
Parkinson’s not only affects those with the condition but also has a profound impact on carers, family and friends. Therefore, finding ways to provide more efficient, effective and scalable support is essential in its ongoing management.
The NHS hopes that digital tools, particularly wearable technologies, will support patient self-management and care at home and result in more timely treatment. It will also make the healthcare pathway more manageable and reduce pressure on the NHS. In order to accomplish this the NHS are giving our existing home-based care pathway project a cash injection of half a million pounds.
The project is being run by the University of Plymouth and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Principal lead is
Professor Camille Carroll
, an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at University Hospitals Plymouth and an Associate Professor in Neurology at the University of Plymouth. Co-lead on the project is
Professor Edward Meinert
from the
Centre for Health Technology
.