Written Evidence May. 24 2023
Inquiry: Benefit levels in the UKFound: BPI0063 - Benefit levels in the UK Parkinson's UK Written Evidence
Asked by: Paul Girvan (Democratic Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support people with (a) Parkinson's and (b) other long-term conditions with their basic financial outgoings.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
People on low, or no income or earnings who have a health condition or disability which restricts the amount of work they can do, can claim Universal Credit (UC). They must provide medical evidence to support their claim - most commonly a Statement of Fitness for Work, usually referred to as a fit note. Claimants whose health condition or disability continues for four weeks or more are referred for a work capability assessment (WCA). The WCA determines how an individual’s health condition or disability affects their ability to work. A key principle is that the WCA considers the impact a person’s disability or health condition has on them, not the condition itself.
Where it has been decided that claimants have limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA), they will be entitled to a work allowance, and in couple claims where one is working, access to help with childcare costs. Where it has been decided that claimants have LCWRA, they may be entitled to the award of an additional amount of benefit – the LCWRA addition – which is £390.06 per month (2023-24 rates).
Where it has been decided that claimants have LCW, they are not reasonably expected to look for work at present but are expected to prepare for work in the future. Where it has been decided that claimants have LCWRA, they are not expected to look for work or required to undertake any work-related activity. Where it has been decided that claimants are fit for work, they are expected to undertake work-related activity and to look for work.
People whose capability for work is impacted because they are disabled or have a health condition, including people who have Parkinson’s and other long term health conditions, may also be eligible for New Style Employment and Support Allowance (NS ESA) subject to satisfying both the basic and National Insurance contribution conditions. NS ESA is an earnings replacement benefit for working age people who are unable to work due to a health condition or disability. In addition to the support provided for basic financial outgoings by UC people with a long-term health condition or disability may be entitled to support with disability-related extra costs through benefits such as Personal Independence Payment.
Asked by: Mary Glindon (Labour - North Tyneside)
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 ensure that NHS hospital staff responsible for (a) administering and (b) prescribing medications are provided with training on (i) Parkinson's disease medication and (b) medication for other time-critical conditions.
Answered by Will Quince
Individual employers are responsible for ensuring their staff are trained and competent to carry out their role. NHS England has published a RightCare toolkit which aims to address challenges in providing services for those with progressive neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. The toolkit provides advice on medicine optimisation, highlighting the importance of timely administration of specific drugs, such as Levodopa, in acute and community health settings.
The healthcare regulators set standards of competency for prescribing practice. The standards set out the knowledge, understanding and skills required for safe and effective prescribing practice.
Written Evidence May. 11 2023
Inquiry: Assisted dying/assisted suicideFound: ADY0281 - Assisted dying/assisted suicide Parkinson's UK Written Evidence
Written Evidence Apr. 18 2023
Committee: Public Accounts CommitteeFound: PMS0017 - Progress Improving Mental Health Services Parkinson's UK Written Evidence
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of waiting times for NHS Parkinson's care in England on people who provide unpaid care to their partners who have Parkinson's.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are required to undertake a carer’s assessment for any unpaid carer who appears to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from the carer. We have not made any assessment of the potential impact of waiting times for National Health Service Parkinson's disease care in England on people who provide unpaid care to their partners who have Parkinson's.
Asked by: Navendu Mishra (Labour - Stockport)
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.
Answered by Helen Whately - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
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.
Asked by: Fleur Anderson (Labour - Putney)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that people with Parkinson's Disease do not enter poverty due to the cost of energy bills in winter 2023-24.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Autumn Statement set out a commitment to work with consumer groups and industry to consider the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024. As part of this work, the Government is working with disability organisations, assessing the need for specific support for disabled people.
Officials are considering the options and proactively discussing these with stakeholders. In addition, for 2023/24, households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to £900 in Cost of Living Payments.
May. 15 2024
Source Page: Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson's speech to the Arts and Humanities Research CouncilFound: Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson's speech to the Arts and Humanities Research Council
Oct. 16 2009
Source Page: Tables showing details of grants awarded by the Department of Health from 2005/06 to 2009/10. 6 p.Found: prevention of Suicide) 15000.012000.0----PAPYRUS (prevention of Suicide) -35000.026250.035000.08750.0-Parkinson's