World Parkinson's Day 2026: bridging the care gap

“A doctor wants to make us better. But patients want to feel good too.”

In this special World Parkinson's Day episode of the Parkinson's Life podcast, we're shining a light on Parkinson's nurses, and the enormous difference they can make to the lives of people living with the condition.

Parkinson's nurses are sign-posters, counsellors, prescribers and researchers. But across Europe, access to this vital role is far from consistent.

To explore what that gap really means, we hear from Karen Lumey, who has lived with Parkinson's for 14 years in the Netherlands, and her Parkinson's nurse, Friedhelm Chmell, based in Germany.

Their relationship offers a vivid picture of what good, accessible care looks like.

We also hear from Massimiliano Iachini, who was diagnosed in Turin, Italy, almost 20 years ago and has never had access to a Parkinson's nurse. For him, the prospect of having one remains, in his own words, "something like a dream."

Their stories, like so many others, are the driving force behind Parkinson's Europe's World Parkinson's Day 2026 campaign: bridging the care gap.

We look at why care is so inconsistent across Europe, what the latest research tells us about the impact Parkinson's nurses have on health outcomes, and what needs to happen at a European policy level to change things.

To find out more and sign the Parkinson's Europe campaign pledge, visit parkinsonseurope.org/campaigns/world-parkinsons-day.

Meet your hosts:

Amelia Hursey is Strategic Director at Parkinson's Europe. She has a Master's in cognitive neuropsychology and has been involved in the neurodegenerative research world for 15 years.

Anthony Zahra is a broadcaster and journalist with more than 20 years' experience in radio, digital and podcasting.

For the latest research and information on Parkinson's, visit the Parkinson's Europe website. If you like what you've heard, please rate and review – it helps make sure others can find us. Keep a lookout for our next episode and until then, take care!

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