The barriers to receiving health care for people with Parkinson’s from predominantly Asian backgrounds in the UK

Despite universal access to healthcare to eligible people of all ethnic backgrounds in the NHS, disparity in healthcare provision exists. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive disorder with an insidious onset and increasing healthcare needs over time. However, there is little information on the experience of healthcare and barriers to access in people from minority ethnic (ME) backgrounds in the UK. Interviews were conducted with 21 People with Parkinson's (PwP) (38% female, mean age 54 (SD 10.67 years) from ME groups. Results were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Four main themes were extracted: Awareness and Acceptance of Symptoms in the ME Community; Socio-cultural Expectations and Impacts; Access to Information on Parkinson's and Services; and Experiences of Healthcare. ME-PwP experience challenges in accessing healthcare, even in a universal healthcare system. Recognising these complex barriers may improve access and quality of life.