From learning to lasting impact: how MasterClass graduates are improving Parkinson’s services across the UK

Today on World Parkinson’s Day, we want to thank the many incredible healthcare professionals (HCPs) working to improve care for people living with Parkinson’s. Across the UK, HCPs are going above and beyond every day – supporting their patients, trialling new ways of working, and pushing for better, more consistent care. We see this dedication up close at Parkinson’s Academy, and today feels like the perfect time to celebrate it by sharing our latest ‘education with impact’ report.

At the end of last year, delegates from the Parkinson’s Advanced MasterClass 46 shared their intermodule projects – practical, clinician-led initiatives designed to tackle current challenges in Parkinson’s care. We’ve brought all 25 of these projects together in our latest education with impact report, and it’s filled with inspiring work.

From improving medication safety on inpatient wards to developing better pathways for frailty, bone health, obesity, and access to advanced therapies – these projects directly respond to some of the most pressing priorities in Parkinson’s services. Others have focused on improving mood and mental health support, involving carers more effectively, embracing complementary therapies, and using digital tools to improve access and coordination.

All of the projects are now available to explore in our new report, and together they highlight the power of education, collaboration and a shared commitment to better care. This cohort of delegates, working in diverse teams across the UK, have shown what’s possible when frontline professionals are empowered to lead change. Their work is already making a difference and helping to build more integrated, person-centred services for people living with Parkinson’s. Read the full education with impact report below:

You can also read more about the three winning projects from Parkinson’s Advanced MasterClass 46 here.

Interested in joining this year’s Advanced MasterClass? We still have a few final places available! The course will start in six weeks with Module 1 in May, and module 2 will take place in November this year. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a supportive learning community and develop a project of your own. Apply now before the course is fully booked.

For a more informal way to keep learning, explore our new Fireside chats series. This short on-demand course brings together our Academy faculty Drs Ed Richfield, Richard Genever and Neil Archibald for candid, practical conversations about tremor, medication management, delirium, encephalitis and acute neurology.

And as for us – we celebrated World Parkinson’s Day here in the Sheffield office with a lunch break challenge: crocheting a blue tulip. The tulip is a global symbol of Parkinson’s, and Parkinson’s UK have shared a pattern for anyone who wants to get involved. We were a little late to send ours off in time for the garden display, but we’re planning to donate them to upcoming Walk for Parkinson’s events, helping to raise funds. We gave it our best shot! It was a fun, slightly chaotic and very wholesome team activity. A few tulips turned out really well, some were a bit more abstract – and for the rest of us, it was more about learning which end of the crochet hook to use!

To everyone working in Parkinson’s services: thank you. Today, and every day, we’re proud to be part of this supportive community and to keep learning alongside you.