An evaluation of UK psychological services for people with Parkinson’s disease: Current practice and recommendations for improvement

Surveys repeatedly suggest inadequate psychological support for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, absence of official service or workforce statistics obscures our understanding of current service provision. The aims of this study were to provide the first formal evaluation of UK PD psychological services and identify any development needs. An online survey was distributed to clinical psychologists who were members of relevant professional groups and/or working in neurology centres. A total of 45 clinical psychologists responded to the survey. Respondents saw a mean of 19 PD patients in a year with marked variation in numbers seen and services offered, particularly between the different nations. There was limited integration with the multidisciplinary team and inclusion of carers. This may reflect inadequacies in professional training and supervision, as well as a lack of funding. Improved clinical guidelines, enhanced professional training and a better network for clinical supervision are now critical.