Memorandum Received from the Parkinson's
Disease Society (FC 80)
1. The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS)
is delighted to submit the following evidence to Science and Technology
Committee Inquiry into the impact of spending cuts on science
and scientific research.
2. The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS)
is the largest charitable funder of Parkinson's research in the
UK. Through its collaborations with other research funders, the
PDS has played a pivotal role in shaping the research agenda.
3. Before any cuts are made to SET spending
we believe the Government should assess where they can get greater
efficiency from the existing expenditure. For example, by greater
collaboration and co-ordination of neurological research programmes
through Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network
(DeNDRoN), part of the National Institute for Health Research.
4. We believe the process of cutting research
investment should be transparent and the criteria used are open
to scrutiny by the research and patient communities.
5. We also believe that there should not
be an assumption that the charity sectors will be able, or willing,
to fill in funding gaps. The Parkinson's Disease Society's funding
priorities have been set by our trustees after detailed consultation
with international leaders in Parkinson's research and with our
membership, and are fixed for the next five years.
6. The UK is a global leader in Parkinson's
research, particularly in areas such as brain surgery, bio engineering
and sequencing the Parkinson's genome. Significant investment
has already been made into the scientific and clinical workforce
in these research areas and also in the necessary infrastructure
to carry out this research. Any cuts in funding would jeopardise
the return expected on this investment and the internationally
recognised position the UK holds.
7. Professor Steve Gill at the Frenchay
Hospital in Bristol has developed an international centre of excellence
in neurosurgery. The expertise developed in his team has enabled
research into treatments such deep brain stimulation surgery for
Parkinson's. The same expertise will be necessary in the future
when the new generation of therapies such as gene therapy are
developed.
8. Prof Gill has raised his concern over
potential cuts with the Parkinson's Disease Society. He said,
"If we do not invest in the infrastructure and research programmes
to continue our investigations into the brain, this county will
very soon loose its position as a world leader in neurosurgery.
This will mean people with conditions such as Parkinson's are
the ultimate losers, as the UK will not be equipped to offer groundbreaking
new treatment". He also pointed out that, "Centres of
research excellence such as the Frenchay encourage investment
from the pharmaceutical and bio engineering industry, which is
good for our economy. This investment could all too easily move
oversees and other countries benefit from R&D undertaken in
the UK".
9. Prof Gill will be available to give oral
evidence if asked.
10. About the Parkinson's Disease Society.
11. The Parkinson's Disease Society (PDS)
was established in 1969 and now has 30,000 members and over 330
local branches and support groups throughout the UK. The Society
provides support, advice and information to people with Parkinson's,
their carers, families and friends, and information and professional
development opportunities to health and social services professionals
involved in their management and care.
12. This year, the Society is expected to
spend £4 million on research into Parkinson's Disease. The
Society also develops models of good practice in service provision,
such as community support, and campaigns for changes that will
improve the lives of people affected by Parkinson's.
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