Tell us your views on the future of social care in England - 2 weeks to go

The Department of Health wants to hear your opinions about the future of social care in England. The consultation Caring for our future: shared ambitions for care and support ends on Friday 2 December 2011.

Then in April 2012, the Department of Health will publish a report with their recommendations for the future of social care in England.

We know how important social care can be for people affected by Parkinson's, be it at home, or in a community setting such as residential care. But people are often going without the support they need or facing catastrophic care bills because the system is means tested.

So whether you're a person with Parkinson's, a carer, a health or social care professional or anyone else affected by social care it's crucial you have your say now.

We're seeking opinions from our staff, members and supporters to make sure the views of people affected by Parkinson's are represented. If you want us to include your views, contact Donna O'Brien, Social Policy and Campaigns Officer, on dobrien@parkinsons.org.uk

You can also give your views directly to the Department of Health.

We also want to hear your stories about social care. Tell us about your experiences below or email pr@parkinsons.org.uk

Raising awareness of impulsive and compulsive behaviour

We are committed to raising awareness of impulsive and compulsive behaviour, as part of our ongoing campaign.

This week 4 people with Parkinson's have settled their claims against GlaxoSmithKline – who manufacture several types of Parkinson's drugs – following them developing impulsive or compulsive behaviour after taking the dopamine agonist, ReQuip.

As their behaviour went unchecked, it escalated to very serious and life-changing levels. Solicitors, Leigh Day & Co – who attended our first impulsive and compulsive behaviour steering group in January 2011 – argued that due to warnings not being included with the drugs until March 2007, no link could be made between their behaviour and the drug. Therefore, the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, was liable.

This recognition of the severity and, in many cases, devastating nature of impulsive and compulsive behaviour is a huge step forward.

Dopamine agonists help many thousands of people with the condition across the world but this case serves to highlight the huge importance of having accurate information about the potential risks they carry.

We are committed to making sure everyone affected by impulsive and compulsive behaviour has the information they need to make an informed choice, before the consequences become too serious.

Do you have experience of impulsive and compulsive behaviour? Would you like to join our campaign? Tell us your views on pr@parkinsons.org.uk

Pharmacists learn how to 'Get it on time'

Our 'Get it on time' campaign has been a great success across the UK and has even been used abroad in Canada and the USA.

While people with Parkinson's are at the heart of the campaign, those healthcare professionals working with people with the condition are integral to its success, such as GPs, hospital and community nurses and community pharmacists.

We recently met with the Department of Health's Chief Pharmacist Martin Stephens and Jonathan Mason, to talk about the campaign reinforcing how important it is for people with Parkinson's to get their medication on time and what part pharmacists can play in this.

After the meeting, Martin Stephens wrote a fantastic blog and Jonathan Mason appeared in an online film for Chemist and Druggist (C+D) magazine's website.

Both highlighted C+D's 41,000 unique users – of which the majority are community pharmacists – about the importance of supporting people with Parkinson's to get their medication on time and some of the great work already taking place in hospitals and pharmacies across the country.

In particular, the pieces focus on the vital importance of listening to people with Parkinson's, their families and carers and finding out what support they need to get their medication on time.

How supportive is your pharmacist? Do they know enough about Parkinson's? Tell us your experiences by emailing pr@parkinsons.org.uk