The Care Team

If you have Parkinson's disease, you are likely to see a number of healthcare professionals who specialise in different parts of your treatment. These include:

• General Practitioner, Family Doctor or General Physician: responsible for your day-to-day care, referring you to other specialists and prescribing your medicines once these have been started by your neurologist
• Neurologist: doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases of the nervous system, including Parkinson's disease.
• Specialist Nurse: nurse who specialises in the care of people with Parkinson's disease, runs clinics. reviews treatment and liaises with other specialists about your care
• Nutritionist or Dietitian: specialist who can advise about eating a healthy diet and adapting your diet if you have Parkinson's disease
• Physical Therapist: specialist who can help you stay as mobile as possible, and advise about exercises you can do
• Occupational Therapist: specialist who can advise about adapting your home and using devices to help with everyday activities
• Counsellor or Psychologist: specialist in helping you talk about your anxieties and concerns about Parkinson's disease, and finding solutions
• Speech Therapist: specialist in helping with speech problems, such as slurring words
• Geriatrician: specialist in caring for elderly people
• Surgeon: specialist who can advise about and carry out surgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation