Known Parkinson's Patients
Assessment & Management
- If the patient is experiencing an acute deterioration in their motor symptoms (ie tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity or speech) then follow the Pathway for the management of acute deterioration in Parkinson’s disease (PD) Symptoms.
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Consider the key causes:
- Infection
- Constipation
- New medications
- Non-compliance with Parkinson’s medication
- For patients unable to take their oral Parkinson's medication (e.g., end of life) then consider switching their oral anti-Parkinson's therapy to a transdermal patch or NG tube. See http://parkinsonscalculator.com/.Seek advice if needed.
Referral
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Parkinson’s disease specialist nursing team (all queries are triaged and the service aims to respond within 3 working days):
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01209 318 048 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
- E-mail: pdnurses.cornwall@nhs.net
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01209 318 048 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
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Contact the patient’s usual consultant: by telephone or e-mail.
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Parkinson’s UK advice line: 0808 8000303 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday)
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Apomorphine therapy APO-go technical helpline: 0808 19642442 (available 24hrs)
- Duodopa therapy helpline:0800 4584410 (available 24 hours)
Supporting Information
For professionals:
- NHS Cornwall Partnership – Pathway for the management of acute deterioration in Parkinson’s disease (PD) Symptoms
- NICE Guidance – Parkinson's Disease in Adults
- Parkinson's UK – UK Parkinson's Excellence Network
For patients:
- NHS Cornwall Partnership – Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist Service
- Parkinson's UK – Newly Diagnosed with Parkinson's
- Patient UK – Parkinson's Disease
Page Review Information
Review date – December 2023
Next review due – December 2026
Reviewing GP – Dr Madeleine Attridge
Other contributors: Lynne Osborne (Parkinson’s disease specialist nurse), Dr Oliver Leach, Dr Rod Bland, Dr Simon Parkin.