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In this blog, Jean Almond and Sam Freeman Carney from Parkinson’s UK explain how their new time critical medication dashboard is: exposing the cost of missed and delayed medication encouraging renewed focus on improvements reducing avoidable harm. This blog is part of a series on noncommunicable diseases, in support of World Patient Safety Day 2026. People with Parkinson’s rely on their medication, and need to take it on time. A delay of as little as 30 minutes can mean the difference between functioning well and being unable to move, walk, talk or swallow. Missing doses can lead to severe and irreversible harm to their health. People with Parkinson’s need to get their medication on time, every time. It is deeply concerning, then, that less than half (42%) of people with Parkinson’s admitted to hospital last year received their medication on time, every time. To help support the NHS in addressing this issue, Parkinson's UK worked with The Public Service Consultants (The PSC) to develop a ground-breaking new data dashboard, which shows the health economic benefits of improving time critical medication management for people with Parkinson's in hospitals. What does the time critical medication dashboard do? The time critical medication dashboard estimates the direct cost for hospitals and the impact on patient outcomes of time critical Parkinson’s medication delays and omissions. It does so at national, Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS Trust and health board levels across England, Scotland, and Wales. The model considers impacts on key measures, including length of stay, staff time, mortality, re-admissions, and associated costs. The dashboard helps organisations evaluate different approaches to improve the timely administration of time critical medications — such as self-administration, staff training, or e-prescribing — by modelling the cost savings gained from implementing improvements. Real-world success and traction The dashboard has already: achieved over 3,500 views, primarily from healthcare professionals been shared through the NHS England’s three-year medicines safety improvement programme focused on time critical medication been promoted by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) through their time critical medication quality improvement programme in Emergency Departments. Frontline teams are already utilising the tool to build local business cases for time critical medication quality improvement projects to improve patient safety. As one NHS Trust shared: "When we found the Dashboard, it helped us to show in real terms, financial terms, the impact missed and delayed doses of [Parkinson’s] medications were going to have on our Trust. We were able to use this to gain traction and benchmark our starting position. We hope to see a significant improvement in the dashboard as we work on our [Quality Improvement Programme]." The dashboard has supercharged our work at Parkinson's UK, opening doors with previously unengaged hospitals and shifting conversations from abstract risks to concrete, localised numbers. Award winning Our dashboard won the award for the ‘Most effective contribution to improving care for those with long term conditions’ at the HSJ Partnership Awards in March 2026. This is further recognition that our tool is helping address an avoidable, recurring patient safety issue and supporting the NHS in making the urgent improvements needed across the system. How to find out more and take action Alongside the dashboard, we provide a comprehensive suite of free resources to help health systems improve how they manage time critical Parkinson’s medication: Our 'Time critical medication: 10 recommendations for your hospital', developed by NHS health professionals living with Parkinson's, enable NHS organisations to support timely, safe and appropriate medicine management for people with Parkinson's. Our suite of resources and learning supports hospital teams to deliver time critical medication to people with Parkinson's. No one with Parkinson’s should fear going into hospital because they can’t get the medication they rely on. Our dashboard is a critical new resource to show how hospitals can and need to go further. We urge health professionals, NHS Trusts, Health Boards and Integrated Care Boards to use this tool and transform their management of time critical Parkinson’s medication. Share your insights What is your experience of time critical medication? As a patient or a clinician? You can comment below (sign up first for free) or get in touch with the Patient Safety Learning hub team at [email protected].

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. It can affect young or old, and in the UK, around 153,000 people are living with the condition. With population growth and ageing, this figure is estimated to increase by 20%, within the next ten years. At the moment, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, but medication plays a vital role in managing symptoms and preventing deterioration. People with Parkinson’s face a number of specific patient safety issues when accessing healthcare including communication difficulties and risks associated with medication delays. In this blog, Patient Safety Learning has pulled together 14 useful resources about Parkinson’s shared on the hub. They include guidance for patients and their families about hospital stays and medication, and awareness-raising resources for healthcare professionals about the patient safety issues people with Parkinson’s face. 1. Keeping patients with Parkinson’s safe in hospital: 4 key actions for staff Dr Rowan Wathes, Associate Director of the Parkinson's Excellence Network at Parkinson's UK, recommends four key actions that healthcare workers can take to improve safety for people with Parkinson’s while they are in hospital. 2. Parkinson's UK: Parkinson's Away-From-Home Kit This kit from the Parkinson's UK Excellence Network comes from 3 years of collaboration with people with Parkinson’s and carers to understand the challenges they face when going into hospital and how we can help. People with Parkinson’s can choose from a range of tools to create a kit that works for them. Every item is designed to support them, and those who care for them, to advocate for their Parkinson's medications to be administered on time, every time. 3. Nurses leading the way: enhancing Parkinson's care in nursing homes In this blog published by the Royal College of Nursing, Jean Almond, Programme Manager at Parkinson's UK, discusses improving the delivery of time critical Parkinson’s medication to care home residents. 4. Preparing to go into hospital – tips for people with Parkinson's and their carers In this blog, Laura Cockram, Head of Policy and Campaigning at Parkinson's UK, talks about how people with Parkinson’s can prepare their medication to go into hospital. 5. Time-critical Parkinson’s medication: the human cost of delays and mistakes In this blog, Joanne explains how delays to her mother’s time-critical medication in hospital led to her condition deteriorating. 6. Time critical medication guides for health professionals The Parkinson’s Excellence Network has produced three practical guides to support UK health professionals to deliver time critical Parkinson’s medication on time in hospital: a guide for NHS ward staff, a guide for hospital pharmacists and a swallowing guide for the nurse in charge and ward staff. 7. Electronic prescribing: how it can improve the delivery of time critical medications This resource describes how NHS Ayrshire & Arran hospitals improved their rates for administering patients' Parkinson's medications on time, sharing case studies and tips on how other hospitals might be able to replicate their successful e-prescribing system. 8. Improving the delivery of time critical medications at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust A best practice case study showcasing a quality improvement project at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 9. Ask the expert: How to spot fake Parkinson’s medicines online Falsified, fake or counterfeit medicines are medicines disguising themselves as authentic, and they can pose significant health risks. This blog highlights the issue of counterfeit Parkinson's medications being sold illegally online. Mike Isles, Executive Director of the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacy in the EU describes their high prevalence and gives tips for people with Parkinson's on how to stay safe when buying medicines online. 10. My Parkinson's passport This tool from the Parkinson's Association of Ireland allows people with Parkinson's to record their essential medical information in an easy to access format, should they need assistance or medical treatment. 11. Parkinson's awareness: a 15-minute online presentation for ward staff This 15-minute training video by the Parkinson's Excellence Network pulls together the key symptoms and issues that can affect a person with Parkinson's and their care when admitted to a hospital ward. It aims to help ward staff understand the most important considerations when caring for people with Parkinson's. 12. Medication delays: A huge risk for inpatients with Parkinson’s This blog examines the serious health implications of delayed medication in people with Parkinson’s. It highlights evidence that this is a widespread safety issue and outlines the challenges, barriers and solutions to ensuring patients receive their medication on time. 13. Parkinson’s UK Tech Guide Parkinson’s UK created the Tech Guide so that people with Parkinson’s, and their families, friends and carers, can make the right decisions for themselves about all the devices and apps that claim to be able to help improve their quality of life. To do this, they provide trusted reviews based on the lived experience of people with Parkinson’s, and maintain a catalogue of the various products that are on the market. This is backed up with information about Parkinson’s and evidence-based articles that will help you decide what’s right for you, in your unique circumstances. 14. NHS Northumbria Healthcare: Improving the care in hospital for people with Parkinson’s In this blog, consultant geriatrician, Dr James Fisher, talks about a project at NHS Northumbria Healthcare to improve the experience of Parkinson’s patients by focusing on medication. Have your say Are you a healthcare professional who works with people with Parkinson’s? We would love to hear your insights and share resources you have developed. Do you have, or do you care for someone with Parkinson’s? Please share your experience of health and care services with us. We would love to hear from you! Comment below (register for free here first). Get in touch with us directly to share your insights.

The Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network has launched a new tool to support people with Parkinson's who are going into hospital: the Parkinson's Away-From-Home Kit.  The kit comes from 3 years of collaboration with people with Parkinson’s and carers to understand the challenges they face when going into hospital and how we can help. People with Parkinson’s can choose from a range of tools to create a kit that works for them. Every item is designed to support them, and those who care for them, to advocate for their Parkinson's medications to be administered on time, every time. This is a wonderful new resource to share with your patients with Parkinson’s to support them to be prepared for every day.  Read about the kit and order the tools from the link below. Further reading on the hub: Keeping patients with Parkinson’s safe in hospital: 4 key actions for staff Preparing to go into hospital – tips for people with Parkinson's and their carers Top picks: 16 resources about Parkinson’s

Join the Parkinson's Excellence Network for our time critical medication virtual webinar. Our expert panel will share their experience of time critical Parkinson’s medication and benchmarking. Join the discussion, identify appropriate actions for your organisation and learn about the support for health professionals. Learning outcomes for the session: Share experience on time critical Parkinson’s medication and benchmarking. Be familiar with the 10 recommendations for time critical medication. Identify appropriate actions for your organisation. Navigate the further resources and support that are available for health professionals. View the draft agenda and register to attend now on the Parkinson's UK website.

People with Parkinson’s need their medication on time every time. Yet over half of people with the condition don’t get their medications on time in hospital. This can cause stress, anxiety, immobility, severe tremors, and in some extreme cases death. Parkinson's UK are campaigning to make sure that no one with Parkinson’s is worried that they will leave hospital more unwell than when they went in.  Whether you have Parkinson’s, support someone who does, work in the health and care system or campaign to improve it, you can take action to make hospitals and care homes safer.  Together we can get more people to understand how big this problem is. And we can put pressure on the right people, across the UK, to change hospital policies, improve prescribing in hospitals and make sure staff are trained to give time critical medication. Download the report Parkinson's UK have also issued a joint statement with other charities whose patients are impacted by needing time-critical medication with the support from professional bodies. Further reading on the hub: Medication delays: A huge risk for inpatients with Parkinson’s Keeping patients with Parkinson’s safe in hospital: 4 key actions for staff

The webinar will be aimed at all Nursing and Midwifery professionals in all healthcare settings. It will look at time-critical medication and improving practice in this area, with a particular focus on medication for Parkinson’s Disease and Diabetes. The webinar will draw on expertise in Pharmacy, Nursing, Midwifery and other specialists such as Parkinson’s UK (charity) and their patient led campaign, which links to the focus on Personalised Care in the NHS Long Term Plan. There will be presentations from patient representatives who will share their experience of receiving time critical medication in healthcare settings and experts in this area. The design of the webinar has taken a collaborative approach - with the co-design taking place between NHS England, subject matter experts, clinicians and patient representatives. The codesign process will involve nursing, medical and pharmacy staff in discussion and feedback on processes for safely delivering time critical medication. This will educate staff and help to improve processes through the involvement of both staff and patients. Reserve your place

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and in the UK around 145,000 people are living with the condition. When admitted to hospital, it is vital that patients with Parkinson’s get the right care and do not experience medication delays or omissions. In this blog, Dr Rowan Wathes, Associate Director of the UK Parkinson's Excellence Network at Parkinson's UK, recommends four key actions that healthcare workers can take to improve safety for people with Parkinson’s while they are in hospital.  “Often you go into hospital with something unrelated to your Parkinson’s but then your Parkinson’s gets worse due to it not being managed properly.” Carole (person living with Parkinson’s) Sadly, research shows that 63% of people living with Parkinson’s don’t always receive their medication on time when staying in hospital. This can seriously impact their recovery. They may not be able to move, get out of bed, swallow, walk or talk. Some people may never recover and may permanently lose their ability to walk, talk or worse. In worst case scenarios, the withdrawal of Parkinson’s medication can lead to life-threatening neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Healthcare workers play a vital role in improving patient safety and reducing long-lasting, avoidable harm in this area, but they need the right support to do so. Below are my four key actions for staff working in a hospital. 1. Train up Only 44% of trusts and health boards offer ward staff mandatory training on Parkinson’s. Complete the training on Parkinson’s to understand how you can support your patients with the condition. The UK Parkinson’s Excellence Network learning has a number of training resources: Ward staff training Omitted and delayed doses in hospitals course Get It On Time resources 2. Alert specialists on admission 57% of trusts and health boards do not have a system that alerts Parkinson’s or movement disorder specialist professionals when a person with Parkinson’s is admitted to one of their wards. Have a system for alerting your hospital’s specialist Parkinson’s nurse or professional when someone with Parkinson’s is admitted. This will help to ensure that the individual gets the right medication and support, and that ward staff fully understand how to care for their patient. 3. Make sure you have a self-administration policy Many trusts and health boards have out-of-date self-administration policies so people with Parkinson’s with the capacity and ability to take their own medication are unable to do so, with a further 26% of trusts having no policy at all. Support people with Parkinson’s to self-administer their own medication if they are able to do so. Find out if your Trust has a self-administration policy. Any policy must be supported by the correct hospital facilities, staff training, resources for patients and regular audits. 4. Report medication delays 58% of hospitals do not record patient safety incidents for people with Parkinson’s and therefore have no insight into the severity of issues within the trust or health board. Ensure every missed or delayed dose of a time-sensitive Parkisnon’s medication is recorded as a patient safety incident. Delayed doses are those that are not given within 30 minutes of the prescribed time. I hope you find these tips useful. Working together, we can make things better for people affected by Parkinson's. Rowan Wathes Further blogs in the Parkinson's series Medication delays: A huge risk for inpatients with Parkinson’s - a blog from Laura Cockram, Head of Policy and Campaigning at Parkinson's UK Preparing to go into hospital – tips for people with Parkinson's and their carers - a blog from Laura Cockram, Head of Policy and Campaigning at Parkinson's UK Share your insights with Patient Safety Learning Do you work with inpatients living with Parkinson’s? Have you made changes to improve safety in this area? Have you completed the training with Parkinson’s UK? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the challenges, what you’ve learnt and what’s working well. Please share your insights by commenting below, or email us at [email protected]