Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve the (a) speed and (b) consistency of diagnostic assessments of (i) Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and (ii) Corticobasal Degeneration in Yeovil constituency.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) can be difficult to diagnose in their early stages because their symptoms may resemble those of other neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosis is based on specialist clinical assessment and investigations to rule out other conditions.

In Yeovil, National Health Services are taking steps to improve both the speed and consistency of PSP and CBD diagnosis. These include the recruitment of additional neurology consultants, the appointment of inpatient nurse specialists for Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, the introduction of a neurology advice and guidance service for general practitioners (GPs), and plans to expand clinics at community hospitals. Since late 2025 they have also introduced an advice and guidance portal for GPs where they can offer a written treatment plan or arrange an investigation without the need for an outpatient appointment.

These measures are intended to improve access to specialist expertise and ensure outpatient appointments are used effectively for patients requiring diagnosis and treatment planning.