Setting up a new service is always a challenge. Here, Julie Kaye provides some helpful pointers in establishing a dedicated programme for Parkinson‘s disease patients and their carers

Several researchers have suggested that a dedicated rehabilitation programme offering information, education and advice to people with Parkinson’sdisease and their carers could be of value (Wade1992). Multi-disciplinary teams are now widely accepted as the way forward in developing improved services for all client groups. Although there is little formal research on the effectiveness of group therapy, Gauthier et al (1995) suggest that patients receiving group occupational therapy and educational intervention are able to maintain their functional status better than untreated patients.