I DISCOVER there are more than 60 people among the Parkinsons Wairarapa mid-winter get-together at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park on Wednesday.
I'm there as a ring-in, a last-minute speech giver to replace the very worthy doctor who had to be called away for duty. My job is to say a few words about the good work in Wairarapa obtaining a neurology service, with a visiting neurologist. It means those with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's Disease, can now see someone locally, rather than go to Wellington.
As it turns out, my brother-in-law is a neurologist, living in a town far smaller than those in Wairarapa. He runs clinics, and there is no real difficulty for patients in his area, or even in neighbouring areas, to see a neurologist at a clinic if they want.
The reason for that is he lives in England.
And this drives home the point of how Wairarapa sometimes has to claw its services back to its communities. Neurology is a major branch of health care - there's 60 patients in the room that can vouch for its need - yet the service had to be fought for.
It seems too often this society - and this Government - ignores too many basic needs in favour of the glamorous ideas. I have frequently praised the flag review project, but I have to also note that big ideas are easy (especially if you put millions of dollars into it), and can be made to sound like a democratic, sharing, uniting concept because everyone is allowed to have a "say" and contribute. It strikes me that would also be a very sensible, democratic and sharing concept to make sure health care is far better distributed and resourced across this country. I'm sure a lot of people would also like their say on that too, but they don't get listened to.
Our country does not have to be so narrow that it never goes for the big idea. But a civilised country should resource itself better for availability of medical care. It is too easy to neglect the provinces. Well done to physician Dr Tim Matthews and medical director Dr Anna Ranta for getting our clinic here. They saw the need - and the numbers - and have made it happen.