Hospices are at risk of disappearing without more Government funding.
If the Government doesn’t act now to invest fairly in hospice care, it is dying people in need, and their loved ones who will pay the price.
We’re calling on the Government to fund hospice care fairly, so we do not lose these vital services when people need them most.
Find out how you can help us below.
One of the most effective ways to share your concerns is to write to your MP or local electoral candidates.
<Your address>
<Date>
Dear/Tēnā koe <Name of MP or candidate>
We need the government to urgently address their investment in hospice and palliative care.
I am writing because I am very concerned about the future of hospices and palliative care in New Zealand.
Our society is ageing. It is predicted the number of people needing palliative care will increase by over 50% in the next 20 years.
I/We are worried that as an essential health service, hospice has been under-recognised and under-valued by successive governments and now faces an uncertain future through lack of funding.
Hospices need better funding so everyone who needs it can access quality palliative care.
Nurses in hospices are still being paid considerably less than equally qualified and experienced staff in Te Whatu Ora services and now that the Pay Equity claims have been thrown out, the risk of losing staff to hospitals for better pay means hospice services may be cut. Hospices are at risk of disappearing, which would place more pressure on hospitals and primary care.
Then add some facts, such as
Last year hospice provided:
Then finish with something like:
Can you please tell me what you and your Party will do to ensure hospice care will be here to meet my community’s need for equitable and accessible palliative care across Aotearoa New Zealand?
<Pick one of these closing remarks>
Nāku, nā – Yours faithfully
Nāku iti noa, nā – Yours sincerely
Keep your letter very short – about 100 words. Look out for the guidelines that most newspapers have (online or in the paper itself) for writing Letters to the Editor.
Make your most important point in the very first sentence. For example:
Hospice is an essential health service that has been under-recognised and under-valued by successive governments and now faces an uncertain future through lack of funding.
Use the next two or three paragraphs to say what are the challenges faced by hospice sector and why the Government needs to act now. For example:
Currently, hospices are already reducing services and planning staff layoffs. This means dying people will miss out on specialist care when they need it. Moreover, it is predicted the number of people needing palliative care will increase by over 50% in just the next 20 years.
Our Government needs to act now and commit to investing in a fairer, sustainable funding model for hospice that underpins communities’ right to equitable and accessible palliative care across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Include some strong facts, which you can find here.
Include a personal touch – what is your experience?
Avoid jargon, acronyms, and get someone else to read it before sending.
Consider writing a longer piece, e.g. a blog or opinion piece (around 800 words – find some tips here)
Here are some useful considerations when talking to your MP/ election candidate.
Information on contacting and addressing current politicians in Aotearoa New Zealand can be found on the NZ Parliament website.
Respect their time – they are busy!
Give them no more than three essential messages. e.g:
Ask them for their views on hospice and palliative care and the need for more investment.
Thank them.
After the meeting, write a thank you note/email and include any links you think will be useful.
Look out for meetings and forums, organise a get-together yourself or join with others.
Attend community events and be prepared to ask the political speakers what they and/or their Party are doing about the palliative care challenge facing Aotearoa New Zealand.
Look out for online discussions or virtual events – these are another great opportunity for you to ask questions.
You could possibly ask questions like:
Hospice’s future is uncertain due to a lack of funding. This essential service has been under-valued and under-recognised by successive governments. What will you do to ensure local hospices are still there for patients and whānau?
If the response is positive, thank the politician/candidate for their support.
If there is disagreement, or the MP/candidate doesn’t seem to know/care about the unsustainable future facing hospice, let us know and we’ll do our best to contact them.
Get in touch by email on [email protected] or call us on 04 381 0266
