Tasmanian expertise and community leadership will take centre stage today with the launch of Australia's first National Parkinson's Action Plan (NPAP) in Canberra.
The NPAP is a landmark government-supported strategy which outlines national priorities including Parkinson's prevention, earlier diagnosis, improved data, workforce capability and equitable access to care and support.
Parkinson's is the world's fastest growing neurological disease, where someone is diagnosed every 40 minutes in Australia.
The plan's evolution was shaped by grassroots advocacy which began in Tasmania and led to the formation of the National Parkinson's Alliance.
The Alliance is a national collaboration of key stakeholders and leaders in the Parkinson's community, to help shape policy, strategy and initiatives which support individuals affected by Parkinson's in Australia.
In 2024, the Alliance received $800,000 in Federal funding to deliver Australia's first coordinated Action Plan for Parkinson's.
Youngtown resident and chair of the taskforce that led to the Alliance Dr Harley Stanton initiated the early work through "Wings 4 Parkinson's" that has resulted in the development of the NPAP.
A retired World Health Organisation public health scientist, Harley was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019.
"This is a giant step for people living with Parkinson's and offers an opportunity for Australia to become a global leader in this rapidly developing field of brain and body health," Harley said.
"It will be a 'game changer' if the Government is willing to support the implementation of the Plan, one of only a handful in the world.
"It will ensure earlier diagnosis, better care, treatment and support for research and prevention."
Harley is one of four Tasmanian directors of the National Parkinson's Alliance, including professors Jane Alty (University of Tasmania's Wicking Centre) and Michele Callisaya ( Menzies Institute for Medical Research) and Claire Myers (chair/president of Parkinson's Tasmania).
"Parkinson's has doubled in prevalence in the last 20 years," neurologist, Professor Alty, said.
"The Action Plan will help to ensure people living with Parkinson's and their families receive fair and equitable access and address unmet needs of the Parkinson's community."
Claire Myers, from Parkinson's Tasmania, said the launch marked a turning point for the community.
"The National Parkinson's Action Plan is a watershed moment," she said.
"It promises a national framework for consistent care so that from the moment a person is diagnosed they feel supported and empowered to navigate their condition knowing it is informed by best practice and equitably implemented across Australia.
"This promises to be a game changer especially for Tasmania where we face inequities due to our regional and remote ecosystem of care and support."
Image caption: Attending the launch of the National Parkinson' s Action Plan in Canberra are (from left) Professor Tracey Dickson (Director, Menzies Institute for Medical Research), Professor Michele Callisaya, Mike Whitehouse, Harley Stanton, Professor Jane Alty, Claire Myers and Dr Barbara de Graaff (Menzies Institute for Medical Research).
