Politics, strategy, and the future of the NZCA Mark Weatherall President, NZCA

2 Objectives of the NZCA Increase public awareness and knowledge Enhance health professional knowledge Promote research Lobby for services and access to services

3 Strategies Bottom up approach by both ongoing and focussed activities: Web site, Help-line, brochures Increased awareness leads to increased demand Focussed health professional education such as this meeting Funding for research and a venue of presentation

4 The challenges of a top down approach Large number of organisations: MoH, DHB’s, groups within these, disability support, residential care These organisations unstable, health service changes but also internal change and staff turnover Competing disease related priorities Stigma of incontinence

5 Opportunities for a top down approach We have a MoH contract for public education although administered by a DHB Negotiating about the content is possible Movement away from a narrow disease focus such as the Carers strategy Joining in with such a group may be a way forward

6 Strengths Committed executive and good support from administrative arm A small country so communication easier Informal support from Continence Foundation of Australia

7 The future Continue the bottom up approach Integrate with another strategy or try to develop our own Support sound scientific research Engage funders and planners at a national level Effective and accessible services for all

8 The sky is not the limit