Information for Healthcare Workers
Find useful resources and information that could help you to provide care for people with Parkinson’s.
Emergency / Urgent Admissions resources
It's vital not to delay the giving of Parkinson’s drugs.
Even in a very busy department, you must not simply refer to the medical team to sort out a patient with Parkinson's medication later, particularly as you know they are likely to take some time. Any additional delay to the patient receiving their medication risks rapid further deterioration and life threatening complications such as Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS) or neuroleptic-like malignant syndrome, aspiration pneumonia and pressure ulcers.
- Parkinson's medications are time-critical and must be given within 30 mins of prescribed time to ensure your patient’s symptoms controlled and avoid unnecessary harm and distress for your patient.
- Help Parkinson’s patients get the most from their medicines if they develop swallowing difficulties. Read the 'Parkinson’s disease medicines formulations for adults with swallowing difficulties' guidance.
- Screening swallowing problems in Parkinson's: nurse in charge / ward staff guide from Parkinson's Excellence Network.
- Ensure patients are optimally medicated in the event they are unable to safely swallow their regular oral Parkinson’s medications. Rotigotine conversion for Parkinson’s (Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
- Rotigotine transdermal patch (Neupro) patch placement tracker.
- Be aware of medications that may cause HARM (Haloperidol, Anti-psychotics, pRochlorperazine Metoclopramide) to patients with Parkinson's. Haloperidol and other anti-psychotics, prochlorperazine and metaclopramide block Dopamine and are contraindicated in Parkinson's.
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In an emergency situation read the Emergency Management of Patients with Parkinson’s guide. It will be particularly useful for professionals who don’t see people with Parkinson's day-to-day.
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Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device. Safety advice and information can be obtained from the Bristol Brain Centre, North Bristol NHS Trust Movement Disorders Service Team, 0117 414 8232 or 0117 414 8269 (Monday to Friday). For emergency only out-of-hours contact the Movement Disorder Nurse Specialist on 07874885155 or use the North Bristol NHS Trust telephone numbers on 0117 950 5050 and ask for the duty neurosurgical registrar on call.
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Clinical Fraility Scale. View the Rockwood Frailty Scale
Useful resources for inpatient admissions
Emergency management of patients with Parkinson’s
Guidance on how to manage patients with Parkinson's in an emergency situation. Professionals who don’t see people with Parkinson's day-to-day may find this especially useful. Download Emergency management of patients with Parkinson's guide
Caring for your patient with Parkinson's booklet
This booklet is for hospital staff. It tells you everything you need to know about Parkinson's, and how to provide the highest quality care for your patients. Download the caring for your patient with Parkinson's booklet
Time critical medication
Parkinson's medications are time-critical and must be given within 30 mins of prescribed time to ensure your patient’s symptoms are controlled and avoid unnecessary harm and distress for your patient.
Read a Q&A: the importance of getting Parkinson's medication on time
Parkinson's Care Plan
We've developed a care plan for the MDT to help manage patients with Parkinson's during their hospital inpatient stay. Read our Parkinson's inpatient care plan UHP 2024.pdf[pdf] 177KB
Blood pressure and pulse
It is important you complete a Lying and Standing BP when able and monitor for neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH)
Monitor and manage constipation
- Ensure a stool chart is in place and in use.
- Read about Parkinson’s and Bowel problems
Swallowing difficulties
Guidance to help you ensure your patients with Parkinson’s Disease are able to get the most from their medicines if they develop swallowing difficulties.
Read Parkinson’s disease medicines in swallowing difficulties
Optimally medicated
Should you need to convert oral Parkinson’s medications to transdermal patch, please click on this link to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, for the Rotigotine conversion chart(Brennan et al. Managing Parkinson’s disease during surgery. BMJ Nov 1;341:990-993)
Rotigotine (Neupro) transdermal patch placement tracker
Find further information relating to Parkinson's medications.
Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes (MSA/PSP/CBD/DLB)
Multiple System Atrophy
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) - Hospital staff admission guide
Progresive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD)
PSP and CBD resources from PSPA, for Health and Social Care Professionals
Lewy Body Dementia
