Dialogue IV
We are
people
siloed
frustrated and angry
we are still waiting
the health of the nation
depends on the quality "
of primary health care
we are unable to find a GP to enrol with
our daughter is sick
we are people with Parkinson’s
we need access to patient-centred, integrated care
limited knowledge of how
Parkinson’s is experienced
there are misconceptions
especially in young-onset
we are a lack of primary
healthcare staff - people
devalued and overlooked
people left without basics
a splintering
maze-like landscape
we are people
with chronic illness, without regular checks
we are people with Parkinson’s
we need the unseen things
primary care fragmented
access and quality of care
not in place for everyone
reactive care is the usual
we are now facing gaps
opening, risks unfolding
people who feel wronged
different relationships
some near, some far
complex issues are managed inadequately due to absence
of disease-specific expertise
many different gatekeepers
we are the social contract
between the government
and citizen under strain
no response when we stand
to be heard
all trying to navigate
finding fissures
instead of the expected doors
we are people with Parkinson’s
We are people with Parkinson’s
there is little coordination
between disciplinary areas
funding criteria don’t help
integrated care is a struggle
we are trust in the system
eroded, persistent cutting
of services, underfunding
the only sure thing, a storm
lines that fray
steps erased
worlds slowed
voices thinned
we are a ticking time bomb for public health
we are people with Parkinson’s we need to stay well
the shock waves of our degeneration are far-reaching
our treatment plans
focus on the disease
rather than people
who live with illness
Start at Belonging
Poems by Tara Coleman & Illustrations by Sam McLaughlan