Published on: 13 April 2026
A visit was hosted by our Trust as charity representatives met with the team who help care for our patients ahead of World Parkinson's Day.
The event was hosted at Sunderland Royal Hospital to shine a light on the condition. Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque also joined in the visit.
Each year, the awareness day celebrates the global Parkinson’s community and shows support for people living with it.
Parkinson’s is on the rise, affecting around 166,000 people in the UK. To mark World Parkinson’s Day this year, Parkinson’s UK is encouraging everyone to come together, raise awareness, and build connections.
One way which is used to show support on the day is to Make It Blue, from lighting up buildings to hosting blue bake sales to wearing blue for a day.
Across the UK, celebrations organised by Parkinson’s UK branches, groups and volunteers were held. Alongside the charity’s helpline and website, the regular in-person, support activities offer a local lifeline to people at every stage of their Parkinson’s journey, all year round.
Nicola Asher is a Campaigns Volunteer with the charity Parkinson’s UK. She arranged the visit to the hospital our Chief Executive Ken Bremner MBE to visit the hospital. She was joined by other members of the charity.
They talked to staff about the importance of the national campaign ‘Get It On Time’. People with Parkinson’s need their medication on time every time.
The Mayor of Sunderland Councillor, his consort, members of Parkinson's UK and some of the team who offer care to Parkinson's patients across our Trust pictured during the visit.
Nicola said:
“Ken and his team at Sunderland Royal Hospital have been incredibly supportive to arrange my visit to highlight the importance of those with Parkinson’s to receive their medication on time to avoid making their symptoms worse.
"It was also amazing to have The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque and his wife to come along to the event to add their support.
"It’s been brilliant chatting to so many hospital staff about World Parkinson’s Day and shining a light on the challenges faced along with the support that’s available."
She added the event showed no one is alone with Parkinson's.
The Sunderland Branch support group arranged for local buildings and attractions to be ‘lit up blue’. They included Penshaw Monument, Keel Square, Northern Spire bridge, Roker Cliff Lighthouse, Fulwell Mill and Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Ken said:
"We're grateful to Parkinson's UK for organising this event to help highlight the work which goes in to support those with Parkinson's.
"Our team has an excellent reputation with our patients for the work they do. They have also brought in innovations to help move forward treatment and care, which is so important in supporting those we look after."
Dr Uma Nath is a Consultant Neurologist who specialises in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and works with a team of PD specialists at our Trust.
She said:
"We are pleased to have welcomed Nicola to our Trust as she supports the work to help those who suffer from Parkinson's, and their friends and family.
"World Parkinson's Day helps raise awareness of this condition and everything that is being done to find better treatments.
"It is thanks to research and the development of new medicines that we are now able to offer more of these to those in the more complex phases of the illness, which can help them live better.
"We have also done a lot of work in our hospitals around 'Get It On Time', which has been led by Dr Fionnuala Johnston.
"In our last round of audit, over 90% of doses of medicines for Parkinson's were given on time Trust wide, showing year on year improvement.
"We are also piloting the self-administration of Parkinson's medicines on some of our wards, giving people with Parkinson's greater control of their condition during their hospital stay.
"We know that giving our patients their treatment at the right moment is vital in making sure their symptoms are managed and their recovery is supported. It is good to see these important messages being shared more widely."
Caroline Rassell is Chief Executive at Parkinson’s UK.
She said:
"We are delighted that Nicola Asher is showing her support for World Parkinson’s Day by helping to spread awareness of Parkinson’s at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
"However, you mark World Parkinson’s Day this April, you’re part of an incredible community - raising awareness, funding vital research, and making sure people know about support available to them both locally and centrally through the charity.
"We are always inspired by all the ways people get involved, and with everyone’s creativity, generosity and dedication, we can really be there for every Parkinson’s journey."
To find out more about Parkinson’s and World Parkinson’s Day head to the Parkinson’s UK website: parkinsons.org.uk
News story shared with courtesy of Parkinson UK.
