Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray says that NHS Dumfries and Galloway and local social care providers must act to make sure people with Parkinson’s get their medication on time every time when receiving care.
Elaine Murray MSP said:
“There are about 300 people with Parkinson’s in Dumfries and Galloway and they are at risk of becoming seriously unwell if they don’t receive their medication on time when they are in hospital or receiving social care at home or in a care home.
“I recently met with Parkinson’s UK at an event in the Scottish Parliament and I was shocked to discover that more often than not people receive their Parkinson’s medication at the wrong times – despite the fact that this can make people with Parkinson’s very unwell.
“Hospitals and care homes must become safe havens for people with Parkinson’s and it’s vital that our local NHS and the new Dumfries & Galloway Integrated Joint Board for health and social care have the correct procedures and practices in place to ensure that people with Parkinson’s get their medication on time, every time.”
Katherine Crawford, Scotland Director of Parkinson’s UK, said: “I am delighted that Elaine Murray MSP is supporting our ‘Get it on time’ campaign. Medication is the main treatment for Parkinson’s. It can help to manage symptoms but does not stop the progression of the condition. And the medication only works if it is administered at the right time and dose for each individual. . Timing is everything, and when people with Parkinson’s don’t get their medication at the right time and dose, their symptoms become unmanaged and they can quickly become very ill. Even a 10-minute delay can affect people, and could lead to people being unable to move, speak, eat or swallow, or have uncontrolled movements and hallucinations. It can take weeks to stabilise someone’s symptoms. Sadly, some people never recover.
“Parkinson’s UK is calling for the NHS and nursing homes to put people first by dispensing medication to meet people’s individual needs. We also want assurances that action is being taken to ensure all nursing and related staff understand the consequences of delaying medication. Delays should be treated as a ‘drug failure’ and given the same serious attention as dispensing the wrong dose or the wrong medicine.”
Photo of Elaine Murray MSP with Parkinson’s UK Events assistant Leah Cranney
Further information about the Parkinson’s UK Get It On Time campaign can be found at https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/content/get-it-time-campaign
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