Here are some useful considerations when talking to your MP/ election candidate.

• Be clear.
• Tell them you want to discuss the need for fairer funding for hospice and palliative care so everyone in New Zealand has access to quality care wherever they live and wherever they die.
• Make the request via phone or email

Information on contacting and addressing current politicians in Aotearoa New Zealand can be found on the NZ Parliament website.

When you visit

Respect their time – they are busy!
Give them no more than three essential messages. e.g:

• 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 am concerned that as an essential health service, hospice has been under-recognised and under-valued by successive governments and hospices are having to cut services because of lack of funding.
• Hospices are not only a smart investment economically for the health system, they also provide better outcomes. Through providing free, end-of-life care to thousands of New Zealanders every year, they’re relieving the pressure on Emergency Departments and freeing up hospital beds.
  
  

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.