Spontaneous wriggling or writhing movements which can occur when the medicine is working (i.e. the patient is 'on').
A rhythmic, oscillating movement, most commonly of the hands and or limbs.
When the patient is adequately treated and movements are reasonably fluent and spontaneous.
When when the patient's medication has worn off and movements are slow, deliberate and difficult. Other less visible symptoms of pain and distress may be a feature for some patients.
A noticeable transition from 'on' to 'off' occurring between doses of medication.
An umbrella term for the motor complications of more 'brittle' advanced disease. Patients can fluctuate from 'off', to 'on' and "on with dyskinesia." The change may be gradual or a sudden switch.

For Clinicians

Parkinson's Disease


What is Parkinson's Disease?

Care of the Dying Pathway

Inpatient Care

Non Motor Symptoms

PD Care - Top 12 Tips

PD & Surgical Admissions

The first 24 hours

Medications & NBM Guidelines

Help us track our patients

Other web resources

Criteria for Urgent Review

Parkinson's Service - Contacts

The Parkinson's Service & Contact Details

Two teams in the hospital provide input to Parkinson's patients:

OPU Parkinson's Disease Service

Fax 1287
Run by Dr Evans and Dr Fackrell

Neurology Service

Fax 1865
Run by Dr Giffin and Dr Lyons

These teams should be contacted by 'pink slip' in the normal way, backed up if very urgent with a phone call. Please read the criteria for urgent review before phoning:

OPU secretary: ext: 1028
Neurology secretary: ext: 4526 or 5447


Apomorphine pumps or Dudopa infusions

When patients are on either of these, inpatient nursing support is via:

Pulteney Ward
ext 1305 or 1285


Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is very important for PD patients. Ward physiotherapists can get specialist support from Rachel Malthouse or Robyn Heath (ext 1047 or bleep 7144), or by contacting Pulteney Ward (ext 1305 or 1285) and asking to speak to the ward physiotherapist.

Parkinson's UK provides information for physiotherapists working with PD patients.


Community PD Nurse Specialists

  • BANES:
    Sue Charlton (01225 831676)
  • West Wiltshire:
    Jackie Chamberlain (01249 454374)
  • North Wiltshire and Devizes:
    Kate Golding (01249 456592)

The PD nurse specialists often know individual PD patients really well and can provide detailed information about them.

It helps them too to know when and why their patient has been admitted:

Admission notification

Criteria for urgent review

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