Imagine waking up and realising that everyday tasks -such as walking across the room, remembering a name, or even just holding a pen – are no longer easy or instinctual. For millions of people living with neurodegenerative diseases, this is their daily reality.
Conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and ALS slowly erode the brain’s ability to control movement, memory and behaviour. Neurodegenerative diseases represent one of the fastest-growing health challenges worldwide, with few areas of medical research being pursued with as much urgency. In 2019 alone, they contributed to 10 million deaths and affected more than 349 million people across the globe.
Neurodegeneration is often characterised by the gradual loss of brain cells, leading to deteriorating memory, movement and behaviour. Whilst there is currently no known cure, new research is bringing real hope, with breakthrough treatments that slow or at least ease the symptoms of these conditions. Current headlines demonstrate that unexpected breakthroughs are always possible, with a landmark trial yielding the first potential treatment for Huntington’s disease. Turning these advancements into tangible improvements for patients depends not only on scientific success but also on the prevalent healthcare system’s ability to implement them effectively.
One of the most promising recent breakthroughs is in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. For decades, patients have relied on Levodopa – a precursor drug that converts into dopamine once inside the brain; it is often administered with Carbidopa to make the delivery more effective. These tablets successfully ease stiffness and slow movement. However, as the disease progresses, the number of pills can become insurmountable, with an anonymous patient, living with Parkinson’s for around 10 years, stating that they had to take “30 pills at each mealtime, totalling 90 pills per day; a routine that controls one’s life”. This worsened by the restrictions around eating to allow for the best absorption of the pills, but as the disease progresses, these pills become less reliable, and symptoms harder to control; ironically, hindered by the deterioration of the swallow reflex in late-stage Parkinson’s patients.
To address this issue, researchers made a breakthrough, developing soluble forms of the drugs, named Foslevodopa and Foscarbidopa. These can be delivered continuously through a subcutaneous infusion pump. The clinical trials show this approach maintains stable plasma concentrations, bypassing the gut-related variability of the oral route, and reduces the symptoms associated with pill fluctuations. This step forward gives patients increased freedom and a higher quality of life, with not only physical symptoms alleviated but also mental side effects, with increased clarity and decreased confusion.
This new treatment poses a major question about the speed at which breakthroughs like this can be brought to the clinical level and maintained with appointments, nursing, and care support as needed during the introduction of the treatment. If it were to be introduced nationwide in the UK, would patients have enough support to learn and administer the drugs themselves with the wearable device? The higher complexity of the treatment compared to the oral format means a more extensive explanation and guidance are required of neurologists and GPs, as well as significant ongoing care from professional or family support carers.
The NHS already faces severe capacity constraints in its current state; patients can expect to wait several months for a first appointment post-diagnosis, with some individuals having to wait over a year. In May 2025, according to a debate in Parliament, it was reported that NHS England was only able to see half of the neurology patients within the 18-week target, with waiting lists of over 230,000 people. In Scotland, some patients face more than a year just to see a specialist post-diagnosis. Introducing a new wearable device would mean additional time required for doctors and nurses to train patients and their caregivers, explain complex treatments and provide follow-up support; time the NHS simply does not have.
Even the technology itself poses a significant challenge. Wearable devices generate a vast amount of continuous data, yet the various NHS trusts rely on more than 20 separate electronic systems that historically struggle to share information. Without significant investment in creating a coordinated, fully integrated national digital system, huge potential could be lost.
However, these concerns are not a surprise to the UK government, with the Spending Review 2025 showing a £29 billion increase in the NHS’s day-to-day spending from 2023/4 to 2028/9: bringing the total to £226 billion. This change aims to decrease waiting time and allow hospitals to invest in new technology and primary care. This is paired with £400 million for clinical trials and the development of research infrastructure. Whilst this funding is a welcome addition, the question remains: is this enough to cover not just the development of new treatments, but also the staff, training, long-term patient care, digital integration and maintenance needed to make them work?
The bottom line is clear: NHS funding is rising, with promises of faster access to innovation and new treatments. Yet, questions remain over whether the money will be enough, especially when weighed against the reality of staffing shortages, constant stretched capacity and unequal access to care. These challenges must be addressed if patients are to benefit fully from medical progress.
Innovation cannot be judged on clinical trial results alone. The true test is whether an already overstretched NHS can deliver new treatments fairly, sustainably and on a large scale. The stakes are high. For patients living with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, time is not on their side. Breakthroughs hold the potential to transform daily life, but unless health systems can keep pace, that promise risks slipping out of reach. Breakthroughs will mean little if overstretched health systems are unable to deliver them fairly, sustainably and at scale.
One thing is clear: we will see more and more innovative treatments developed for the ever-increasing burden of degenerative diseases resulting from an ageing population. However, if we want to give our beloved NHS a chance to keep up, the time to implement systemic change is now.
Want to get involved or be part of the public call for specialist Parkinson’s care within the NHS? Visit Parkinson’s UK for information about their can’t wait campaign and ways you can make a difference.