An interview with Rowan Wathes from Parkinson’s UK on August 9, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
Dr Rowan Wathes is an experienced clinician-turned-manager, with a keen interest in healthcare strategy and transformation. She is an Associate Director at Parkinson’s UK. She leads the Parkinson’s Excellence Network, which is a network for health and social care professionals and members of the Parkinson’s community. She is responsible for driving forward the charity’s goal of ensuring that everyone with Parkinson’s has access to high quality multidisciplinary care.
Please tell me a little about your background.
She previously worked at the PSC, a specialist management consultancy dedicated to improving public services, where she led their work transforming complex healthcare services and organizations.
Prior to this she was a Specialist Registrar in Clinical Oncology in North-West London. During her clinical training, she gained national policy experience as Clinical Fellow to Dr Kathy McLean, then Medical Director of the Trust Development Authority (now NHS Improvement), through the National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme.
Rowan holds a Master of Arts in Medical Sciences and a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from Oxford University. She is a Member of The Royal College of Physicians and has an HBX Credential of Readiness from Harvard Business School.
Can you tell me more about Parkinson’s UK?
We are Parkinson’s UK
By funding the right research into the most promising treatments, we get closer to a cure every day. Until then, we’re here for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.
We’ll find a cure. Together.
Support
If you have Parkinson’s, or you know someone who has, you’re not alone. We’re here to help everyone feel in control of life with Parkinson’s.
Cost of living support
From benefits and grants to loans and other support, we’re here to help you find what you need to live well with Parkinson’s.
Newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s
Getting a diagnosis of Parkinson’s affects everyone differently. Some people go through a range of emotions, from feeling overwhelmed to feeling relieved.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
I care deeply about improving the health and care services for people affected by Parkinson’s and am a strong supporter of the charity’s mission. This comes from my experience of looking after people with Parkinson’s as a doctor and from my personal experience of Parkinson’s: my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011 and I supported him through this experience and then through the final stages of his life in 2016.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with Parkinson’s UK?
Fundraise with us
Whether you want to run a marathon or organize your own bake sale, there are lots of ways you can fundraise for us. And we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
Fundraisers like you power everything we do, from supporting people with Parkinson’s and their families through the cost-of-living crisis, to funding groundbreaking research into new treatments. We can’t do it without you.
For more info see https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising
Research with us
We’re chasing down new treatments and a cure. But we can’t do it without you. Help us power breakthroughs.
Volunteer with us
From helping at events to supporting research. Our volunteers are changing the lives of everyone living with Parkinson’s.
See https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-parkinsons-uk
Campaign with us
We’re building a movement to fight for a fair benefits system and high-quality health and social care for people with Parkinson’s.
See https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning-change
What type of training and how long are the programs at about Parkinson’s UK?
We offer networking, resources, learning for all professionals, for patients and events.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/what-we-think and click professionals tab for more information.
Also click “get involved” for information on donating, fundraising events, volunteering, campaigns, and membership.
What effect can about Parkinson’s UK have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
I was attracted to Parkinson’s UK, and the Excellence Network, for many reasons – not least its bold and innovative approaches to driving improvements and its unrelenting focus on people with Parkinson’s. I get huge satisfaction from bringing people together and creating environments that allow professionals to learn from and be inspired by the ideas and experiences of others.
What would you like to see as a future goal for about Parkinson’s UK?
We influence public policy to benefit people with Parkinson’s and carers. Get involved in our Policy Panel.
Public policy has a huge role to play in the lives of people with Parkinson’s and carers. From prescription charges through to Parkinson’s research, we engage with decision makers at all levels to ensure that our community’s views are heard.
See https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/what-we-think
Policy work in action
Improving policies towards the care, treatment and welfare of people with Parkinson’s means working in a number of ways:
- meeting with ministers, politicians and civil servants to raise key issues and influence policy appropriately – read more about our work in the UK parliaments and assemblies
- responding to relevant government consultations
- organizing events in the UK parliaments and assemblies and engaging with politicians during the party conference season to raise awareness and build support
- working with professional associations and decision makers in the NHS and social care to press for better standards of care.
- forming and joining alliances with other organizations to push for change.
- commissioning research to build the evidence base and help influence policy direction.
What events do you participate in?
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/walk-parkinsons
How does about Parkinson’s UK also assist the caregivers?
Relationships and family life
Parkinson’s can affect your relationships with partners, family, friends and colleagues. There are things you can do to adapt to these changes and fit them into your life.
See https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/relationships-and-family-life
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate
Reference
Parkinson’s UK (2023). We are Parkinson’s UK. Retrieved from https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/