How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected patients with Parkinson's Disease in Brighton and Hove?

Aim

To gain a broad overview of how patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the Brighton and Hove area have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and use this data to guide the future of the service.

Headlines

• The PD service at BSUH is split into two groups: younger patients with movement disorders looked after by the local neurology team; and the 600-700 frail, multimorbid, advanced patients who are cared for by geriatricians
• The impact of the pandemic was less than expected among this older group
• However, those who reported minimal impact were often wealthier, while those living in less affluent areas reported a higher impact
• Most patients would, in future, like a choice between face-to-face and telephone appointments
• BSUH PD nurses appear to be underused in this patient cohort

Key findings

Twenty people with PD and average age of 80.9 took part in a telephone survey.

• half said the single biggest impact of the pandemic was not being able to get out
• 40% said their exercise regime had significantly reduced
• the mean quality of life score dropped from 7.6 before the outbreak to 6.5 at the time of the interview
• no one reported significant problems accessing their prescriptions
• two contracted SARS-CoV-2, both were admitted to hospital and have subsequently fully recovered
• six would prefer face-to-face consultations due to hearing difficulties on the phone

Recommendations

The team will look at how best to offer a choice of face-to-face and virtual appointments as well as do more promote the presence of PD nurses among this patient group