Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to support the mental health of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in Stockport constituency.

The National Health Service recognises that two-thirds of people with a common mental health problem also have a long term physical health problem, and that integrating talking and psychological therapy services with physical health services can provide better support and achieve better outcomes. All local commissioners are expected to commission NHS talking therapies integrated into physical healthcare pathways.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has a dedicated Parkinson's disease Nurse Specialist working as part of its Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team. They provide continuous care for people with Parkinson's disease and support with issues such as their mental health. The nurse can support people with mental health concerns via liaison or referral to specialist services, including general practitioners, the Neuropsychiatry Team at Salford Royal, clinical psychologists, neurologists, and the Mental Health Team at Pennine Care and Healthy Minds Stockport.