The 2023 Aotearoa New Zealand Election
The RACP plays an active role in election campaigns by advocating for policies that enable patients to live longer, healthier lives.
In the lead up to the 2023 Aotearoa New Zealand election, the RACP is calling on political leaders to ‘Heal Healthcare’.
How you can help
It’s been a challenging time for the healthcare system. The COVID-19 crisis and the resulting backlog have taken their toll on healthcare workers, patients and their families, making it even harder for those most in need to access healthcare.
This election, it’s time to get our healthcare system on the mend, so it can be there for all of us, now and into the future. Political leaders must commit to:
- boosting the struggling health workforce, and ensuring it is planned, trained, and retained
- ensuring everyone can access the healthcare they need, including specialist care
The RACP has set out 4 policy action areas, which are vital to the sustainability of the health workforce. We're calling on leaders to:
- deliver data-driven and evidence-informed health workforce planning
- grow the medical workforce to reflect the diversity of the population
- address barriers to accessing Telehealth
- prevent burnout to retain workforce and improve patient outcomes
Information about the action areas and our policy recommendations are outlined in the RACP Election Statement – Health Workforce (PDF).
In addition, the RACP has long called for action on health equity, especially:
- Hauora Māori me Ōritetanga | Māori health and equity
- the social determinants of health: #MakeItTheNorm campaign
We're also urging political leaders to address the growing impacts of climate change on our healthcare system.
To read more about our recommendations on Māori health and equity; the social determinants of health and climate change and health, read the RACP Election Statement - General (PDF).
How you can help
Physicians and paediatricians are powerful voices in advocating for health, social and environmental policies that will make a positive difference in their patients’ lives.
Make your voice heard by:
- using social media to call on political leaders to ‘Heal Healthcare’ by committing to RACP’s election policy priorities on social media:
- contact policy@racp.org.nz if you're willing to share your professional experience of these issues in the media by providing a case study
- contact your local MP to ask them to ‘Heal Healthcare’ by committing to the RACP’s election policy priorities using our email template below. For information on how to contact your local MP visit govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/members-of-parliament
For support, contact policy@racp.org.nz
Email guide
Use the below text as template. A range of policy recommendations have been listed as examples that you can include.
Dear <TITLE> <FIRST NAME> <LAST NAME> MP,
I am a local <YOUR PROFESSION> in your electorate.
I wish to bring to your attention The Royal Australasian College of Physician’s pre-election statements, which set out the College’s policy priorities.
We are calling on political representatives to Heal Healthcare by committing to:
- boosting the struggling health workforce, and ensuring it is planned, trained, and retained
- ensuring everyone can access the healthcare they need, including specialist care
I would appreciate you responding to me with your commitments on these issues.
Regards,
<YOUR NAME>