Nick Thomas-Symonds has shown his support for the local Parkinson’s community on World Parkinson’s Day on 11 April.

This year Parkinson’s UK Cymru is calling for the growth and upskilling of the wider healthcare workforce to better help people with the condition.

Almost 7,700 people in Wales have Parkinson’s. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and currently there is no cure.
With more than 40 symptoms, everyone’s experience of Parkinson’s is different, making it hard for people to understand without first-hand experience.
The Torfaen MP attended a drop-in session hosted by Parkinson’s UK in Westminster designed to start conversations and increase understanding among MPs and peers of what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s or as the care partner of someone with the condition.

At the event, Nick Thomas-Symonds discussed how people with Parkinson’s must have access to the best health and care services – no matter who they are or where they live in the UK.

Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “Since I was first elected in 2015, I have stood up for those with Parkinson’s and will continue to argue for people to receive the very best support.”

“It was incredibly powerful to hear people telling their Parkinson’s story and just how essential it is to get access to the right healthcare for this complex condition. The challenges that people face in accessing timely, high-quality Parkinson’s care demonstrate that urgent changes must be made.”

Laura Cockram, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Parkinson’s UK, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Nick Thomas-Symonds for attending our awareness event for World Parkinson’s Day, and their pledge to support constituents affected by the condition in Torfaen.”

“We hope that through talking about Parkinson’s, we can start to address that. If more people understand Parkinson’s, they can support people in their local communities, join our cause to improve health and care services and the benefits system, help fundraise, and, ultimately, get us closer to a cure that everyone with the condition is so desperate for.”