Guests from the Ulladulla Parkinson's Support Group joined the June meeting of the Ulladulla Stroke Recovery Club to kick-start a campaign for a MRI machine at Shoalhaven Hospital. Shoalhaven City Councillor and specialist Parkinson's clinical nurse consultant Nina Digiglio highlighted the glaring statistics of incidence and stroke survivors in the Gilmore electorate from the Stroke Foundation's 2017 report 'No Postcode Untouched'. In 2017, Gilmore had the fourth highest rate of stroke survivors in Australian electorates. Gilmore also ranked fifth in stroke incidence with 514 (309 person/100,000). Gilmore also ranks high for leading risk factors of the stroke. It was the second highest electorate for people with high blood pressure with 20.8 per cent of the population affected. The electorate is also second for people with atrial fibrillation - irregular heartbeat - at 2.8 per cent. READ MORE: The conditions killing us in the Shoalhaven Currently, patients have to leave the hospital and go to private clinics, which causes more distress for patients, Ms Digiglio said. "Parkinson's and Stroke support groups are looking for a MRI machine at Shoalhaven Hospital with a view to attract a visiting neurologist to the area," she said. "We have an ageing population and we're struggling to attract health professionals to support our high needs. "If a machine was in the hospital it would be cost-effective and less traumatic on patients." MRI machines look at deep tissue damage and Ms Digiglio said the machines were necessary for neurologists. People who suffer sporting injuries would also benefit from a MRI machine, she said. A petition will be started both online and on paper, calling for a MRI machine to be installed at the public hospital.