Parliamentary Screening of I Swear

Posted on 29 April 2026 by Emma McNally

Help put Tourette syndrome on the parliamentary agenda

 

Template letter to send to your MP - simply copy and paste, ensuring you add in your name and full address

 

Dear [MP’s name],

 

I am writing to you as a constituent to invite you to attend a parliamentary screening and discussion event to help improve awareness and understanding of Tourette syndrome (TS).

 

Event details:
Monday 8 June
3.00 – 6.00 pm
Wilson Room, House of Commons

 

The event will include a screening of the BAFTA‑winning film I Swear, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with people involved in the film, members of the Tourette community and representation from the charity Tourettes Action.  I hope you will consider attending, as greater understanding among policymakers can make a real difference to the lives of people with Tourette syndrome and their families.

 

Why this event matters

Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition characterised by involuntary movements and vocalisations called tics. It affects around one in 100 school‑aged children and more than 300,000 people in the UK. While the condition is widely known, it remains deeply misunderstood.

 

Public awareness was recently reignited following the BAFTA Awards, when John Davidson MBE, whose life is portrayed in I Swear, experienced a verbal tic during the ceremony.  This tic was involuntary, yet it was widely misinterpreted as intentional. The incident, and the distress that followed it for many communities, exposed how little is understood about the involuntary and complex nature of Tourette syndrome. Many people are unaware that such vocalisations are involuntary neurological symptoms, not expressions of intent, belief, or character.

 

For people living with the condition, moments like this are not isolated. They reflect a broader pattern of misunderstanding that contributes to stigma and exclusion. Tourette syndrome is often trivialised or joked about, despite the fact that it can be extremely disabling, painful, and isolating, and is commonly associated with anxiety, depression, and increased suicide risk.

 

My personal experience

[Add a short paragraph here explaining your own / your child’s experience / your family members experience. For example: when tics started, attempts to seek help, impacts on education, mental health, family life, or work. You do not need to share anything you are uncomfortable with, even a few sentences is powerful.]

 

The wider problem: access to diagnosis and care

Alongside stigma and misunderstanding, one of the most serious challenges facing people with Tourette syndrome is the lack of access to appropriate NHS care.

• There is no nationally specified NHS care pathway for the assessment, diagnosis, or treatment of Tourette syndrome, resulting in a postcode lottery of care.
• Fewer than 5% of local NHS Places in England report having a dedicated service for Tourette syndrome, while over 90% report having none at all, meaning families are often passed repeatedly between GPs, Paediatrics, and CAMHS with no resolution.
• Many families struggle to obtain a diagnosis at all, and even when a diagnosis is given, people are frequently discharged at the same appointment with no ongoing support or treatment.
• Both adults and children with Tourette syndrome struggle to access any form of treatment

 

As a result, many are pushed towards private diagnosis and treatment, raising serious concerns about health inequalities and unmet need.

 

The need for national leadership

One of the most impactful changes would be the development of full NICE clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome, similar to those that exist for conditions such as ADHD and autism.

 

Clear NICE guidance would:

• Provide a national framework for diagnosis and treatment
• Clarify referral responsibilities for GPs, Paediatrics, and CAMHS
• Reduce regional variation and “postcode‑based” care
• Help ensure earlier intervention, reducing long‑term mental health impacts and wider NHS costs

 

Despite recognition of the lack of commissioned pathways, a recent proposal for NICE to develop such guidance was not taken forward, leaving people with Tourette syndrome without the national leadership that comparable conditions receive.

 

How attending the screening could help

By attending the screening of I Swear on 8 June, you would have the opportunity to:

• Hear directly from people with lived experience of Tourette syndrome
• Better understand the human impact behind policy and commissioning gaps

• Reflect on the need for clearer clinical pathways, better professional training, and more equitable access to care

 

Greater awareness among policymakers can play a vital role in reducing stigma, improving services, and ensuring people with Tourette syndrome receive the understanding and support they need.

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter. I hope you will be able to attend the event on Monday 8 June, and I am grateful for any support you are able to offer to the Tourette’s community.

 

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address and postcode]

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