A FEW months back I attended a drop in session in Parliament with Parkinson’s UK. The event was particularly affecting as there were both real sufferers and also carers there, willing to explain the toll that this terrible disease had on them and their families. Grateful to learn more about a subject which I knew little of, I filed the information away for my next meeting with the Health Minister.

I mention this as this last week has been unexpectedly dominated by neurology, and Parkinson’s in particular.

On Monday I had the pleasure of meeting with Professor Mike Hannah of the Insitute of Neurology alongside one of my constituents, Peter Barton (who founded Forge Europa in Ulverston).

The Institute of Neurology has a good pedigree of working with international partners to learn more about crippling neurological conditions - bringing academics from different continents together with common purpose to improve the quality of people’s lives.

It is no exaggeration to say that their research has not only saved lives and delivered cutting edge treatments, but that at a time when people are living longer they are providing the basis for them to also live well. This is hugely important work that will matter to us all.

A good percentage of that work was funded through the overseas aid budget and so on Tuesday I asked the Foreign Office Minister to use her offices to ensure that when the aid budget returns to its previous levels, that essential research like this is prioritised.

On Wednesday, I met with the Health Secretary to discuss the new data strategy for the NHS. Health is not my speciality, but I did spend a decade before being an MP working in a business that managed an awful lot of sensitive data, and so I brought my lessons learned to Sajid Javid, and also raised the case of neurological research with him too.

Currently, for every £7 that cancer research gains in funding, neurological research receives only £2. Now, decisions on how funding should be allocated is (rightly!) way above my pay grade, but I urged the Health Secretary to use the wide array of data that the NHS holds to look at outcomes, costs to society and wider benefits to the NHS before making funding decisions. My fear is that we are not doing so at the moment and allocating research funding based on who shouts loudest. He promised to look into the issue.

Finally, on Saturday morning I dropped in on Alan and his amazing team of volunteers at the Parkinson’s Furness Support Group.

It was fantastic to spend some time with the volunteers, carers and people with Parkinson’s who attended. The group offers support, therapy, treatments, exercise, and plenty of people who are willing to have their ear bent.

If you or someone in your family has Parkinson’s and needs support why not give them a call on 01229 464 354?

It’s not often that my weeks have such a common thread running through them, but having seen Parkinson’s UK, the Institute of Neurology, and the Furness Support Group in action, I am very keen to make sure that these issues get the recognition they deserve.