Train five keep five

Did you know that New Zealand trains up to five neurologists each year, yet funds public hospital roles for only about three?

This means that every year we're losing neurologists because there are not enough funded roles.

Neurologists are a critical part of our healthcare system. They diagnose and care for people with diseases and neurological conditions including Parkinson's.  But in our current system we lose these specialists to private practice or overseas because funded roles are not available in New Zealand.

If you or someone you love has Parkinson's, you already know what this shortage looks like.

This election year, Parkinson's New Zealand is asking politicians to commit to the Neurological Alliance of New Zealand's campaign to:

Train Five, Keep Five.

1. We are asking that the government fund wo additional public hospital neurology positions each year. This would allow New Zealand to train five and keep five, rather than continuing to lose specialists to private practice or overseas, because funded roles are not available.
2. Commit to a national neurological workforce strategy. New Zealand needs a planned approach to current and future neurological demand, including training, recruitment, retention, regional access, follow-up care and the needs of people living with chronic neurological conditions.

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What you can do

Reach out to your local MP and ask them to commit to the Train Five, Keep Five campaign.

Download the letter with example wording that you can send to your MP.

You can find the list of all current Members of Parliament here. Click on the name of the MP you wish to contact, and you’ll find their email address on the left side of the page under “Contact Details”.

Alternatively, you can send a letter through Freepost to:

[insert MP name]
Freepost Parliament
Private Bag 18 888
Parliament Buildings
Wellington 6160