Newcastle University Leads Home-Based Parkinson’s Care Revolution

Newcastle University has spearheaded a groundbreaking care program for people with Parkinson’s disease, allowing them to manage and monitor their condition from home. Supported by the Health Foundation and Parkinson’s UK, this innovative approach is tailored to the needs of patients and caregivers, offering remote monitoring through wrist-worn sensors alongside guidance on symptom recognition and management. Developed in consultation with those directly affected by Parkinson’s, the program has garnered significant benefits for patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams.

Led by Professor Camille Carroll, the initiative aims to address the unmet needs of Parkinson’s patients by empowering them with knowledge about their condition. By integrating at-home monitoring and support, patients can access assistance from healthcare professionals as needed, reducing the reliance on traditional in-person clinical reviews.

Initial findings from the program, based on feedback from 100 patients undergoing treatment, have been promising. The approach has shown to be safe and feasible, with potential benefits for underserved communities. Recognizing the potential of this model, efforts are underway to implement it nationally within the NHS, supported by funding from NHS England’s Digital Health Partnership Award.

The initiative has garnered support from Parkinson’s UK, which provided grants to enhance Parkinson’s health and care services. Rory Cellan-Jones, chairing an Advisory Group, emphasized the need for a more flexible home-based system, backed by new technology for detailed symptom assessment.

The development of the Home-Based Care pathway involved collaboration with researchers from the University of Plymouth and the Department of Neurology at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in Parkinson’s care, offering a more accessible and efficient approach to managing the condition. With further development and implementation, it holds promise for improving the lives of Parkinson’s patients across the UK.