Parkinson's disease charity warns of 'disturbing evidence' of misdiagnosis by GPs

Published on Thursday 7 January 2010 21:01

NEW guidelines to prevent the misdiagnosis of patients with Parkinson's disease have been welcomed by campaigners.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (Sign) – part of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland – has recommended that Parkinson's disease should be diagnosed and care provided by a consultant, rather than a GP.

The Parkinson's Disease Society said there was "disturbing evidence" that GPs and some hospital doctors did not see enough cases to distinguish Parkinson's from other conditions.

The charity said this could mean that Parkinson's sufferers did not receive the treatment they needed, while other patients may be wrongly diagnosed and prescribed drugs they did not need.

One in six people with Parkinson's in Scotland receive their diagnosis and all their care from GPs. Research carried out in the west of Scotland has shown that such patients were more likely to be misdiagnosed than those who saw a motor disorders expert.

Dr Kieran Breen, director of research and development at the Parkinson's Disease Society, said:

"We hope this guideline will make all health professionals aware that referral for expert diagnosis and management of Parkinson's will mean the best care for patients."