Improving health outcomes together
Helping those who need it most
At Braemar Charitable Trust, our mission is simple: to improve health outcomes in the wider Waikato community. We do this through a range of activities, including our free community surgery programme, that seek to advance healthcare equity and access, working collaboratively with our partners to achieve lasting change.
Please donate to help those in our community who need it most.
About us
Braemar Charitable Trust is the proud owner of Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand's leading surgical hospitals and an icon of the Waikato community with a history dating back to 1926.
Formed nearly 50 years later (in 1970) the Trust has overseen Braemar Hospital's continued growth, adding new theatres, wards and services.
Through our flagship Community Surgery Programme, we provide eligible patients with lifechanging free surgeries and healthcare interventions, alongside a range of other activities aimed at advancing healthcare equity and access.
Community surgery programme
Our flagship programme, we enable free surgery and life-changing health interventions for those who have been declined from the public health system, do not have private medical insurance or ACC cover, or the financial means to pay for the procedure privately.
What is the Community Surgery Programme?
We work alongside surgeons and anaesthetists to provide free surgery to eligible patients. This collaboration has enabled those who have been declined by the public health system, and don't have ACC cover, medical insurance, or the financial means to pay privately, to receive free surgical procedures through Braemar Hospital and in the community.
What procedures are covered?
The types of procedures typically covered include:
Children's ENT procedures
Specialist paediatric dental surgery and adult oral surgery requiring a general anaesthetic
Minor plastics (skin lesion removals, carpal tunnel, painful lipomas)
General (hernia, gall bladder, PR bleeding) and laparoscopic surgeries
Echocardiograms
Some gynaecological surgeries
We are not able to provide knee, hip or shoulder orthopaedic surgeries, bariatric surgery or breast reduction surgery.
What is the eligibility criteria?
We welcome referrals from patients who meet the following criteria:
The patient has been declined the procedure or has little chance of having the procedure performed within a reasonable time frame in the public system.
They do not have private medical insurance or employer-subsidised medical insurance.
They do not have the financial means, nor can they access funds to pay for the procedure in the private system.
ACC will not cover payment for any part of their treatment, including either elective surgery or treatment injury provisions.
How do I make a referral?
Referrals can be made by GPs, specialists, dentists and nurse practitioners by completing the referral form and sending to admin@braemartrust.co.nz. In addition to the referral form, please include a detailed letter providing the full medical history of the patient, why they should be considered for the Community Surgery Programme, and the benefit having the procedure will have on the patient.
All information provided is collected and used in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020, Health Information Privacy Code 2020 and the Braemar Charitable Trust Privacy Statement.
How are referrals approved?
The decision whether a patient is eligible to receive a free elective procedure under the Community Surgery Programme will be determined by the Trust and is subject to available funds and surgeon availability.
Where procedures are in high demand, the Trust will prioritise complex cases where patients face multiple barriers to accessing treatment.
What we do
In addition to the Community Surgery Programme, we undertake a range of activities to deliver on our charitable purpose of improving health outcomes in our communities. This is underpinned by our vision to advance healthcare equity and access.
Braemar Hospital ownership
The Trust owns Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand's leading private surgical hospitals.
Partnerships and collaboration
We partner with others who share our vision, enabling funding and donations to go further.
Building capability
We support scholarships and professional development in the health sector.
Our people
We work closely with community partners, healthcare providers and stakeholders to advance healthcare equity and access.
Our Board of Trustees and team passionate about improving community health outcomes and dedicated to leading Braemar Charitable Trust.