Memorandum submitted by the Parkinson's Disease Society (CBPS 41)

The need for access to cross-border specialist health care for people with Parkinson's Disease in Wales is crucial. At present many people with Parkinson's in Wales access specialist services and support from hospitals and centres in England and will continue to need to do so. This is particularly true in North Wales where people with Parkinson's access services from the Walton Centre in Liverpool. This provision is much more convenient and manageable for people with Parkinson's and their carers, who would otherwise have to travel to South Wales, incurring long journeys each way.

In addition, Deep Brain Stimulation, which is a form of neurosurgical intervention for some people with severe movement disorders, including Parkinson's Disease, is not performed in Wales, only being available from specialist centres in England. Though it is not currently funded for people living in Wales (as it is in most of the UK, and this is a current Parkinson's Disease Society campaign to get this funding reinstated since it was ceased in 2006), even if it were funded it would need to be carried out in England as that is where the expertise lies.

Whilst we support the development of specialist centres within Wales, there is a need to be pragmatic and realistic about the range of specialisms which can be provided from within this country and to acknowledge the benefits of having effective cross-border provision in public services.

20^th March 2008