Braemar Charitable Trust and K’aute Pasifika Trust have signed an agreement to help deliver better health outcomes for Pacific people in the Waikato.
The trusts, who share a vision to improve health and wellbeing, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday 29 November at the K’aute Pasifika Village in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.
The agreement formalises a commitment to create better access for Pacific people to health services, particularly those who have unmet surgical needs.
Leaupepe Rachel Drent, Chief Executive of K’aute Pasifika signed the agreement with Braemar Charitable Trust Manager Paula Baker and summed up the mutual values shared by K’aute Pasifika and Braemar Charitable Trust.
“We all have the same heart for the families that we serve. This agreement is a pathway for our Pacific people with health needs who qualify for the support that Braemar Charitable Trust can access, so they can achieve wellness sooner and get back to living their best lives,” says Rachel.
“It supports our vision to empower our Pacific families to thrive.”
Paula Baker is looking forward to a closer working partnership where a shared vision will help pathway Pacific people through Braemar Charitable Trust.
“Signing this agreement brings the work we do and the opportunities we can create closer to more people. Braemar Charitable Trust is reliant on feedback from GP’s and community health providers to identify unmet and unseen need in our communities,” Paula says.
“This MOU creates a deeper understanding for both organisations and we look forward to increasing the number of referrals for our flagship Community Surgery Programme from Pacific people who face long wait times in the public system, and do not have the means to access private care.”
The Waikato-based Trust owns Braemar Hospital and works to advance healthcare equity and access, helping to boost healthcare outcomes for the people in our community.
The Trust applies the dividends it receives and with the help of donations and procedures performed for free by surgeons and anaesthetists, funds free community surgeries for people who meet its criteria.
The Trust also funds health-related research and health sector capability building, including scholarships for University of Waikato nursing and health students.
This year, Braemar Charitable Trust has achieved a record 111 procedures for people in need.
K’aute Pasifika is a cornerstone of Pacific wellbeing, culture and community in Waikato, creating opportunities to improve health, wellbeing and connection.
The purpose-built K’aute Pasifika Village provides advanced accessibility for Pacific families throughout Waikato. The village houses holistic community support programmes including the K’aute Pasifika Clinic and Community Health, Employment and Social services.
Visit K'autePasifika.co.nz and BraemarHospital.co.nz to find out more.
Image: (L to R front) Chief Executive, K’aute Pasifika Leaupepe Rachel Drent and Braemar Charitable Trust Manager Paula Baker with (L to R back) K’aute Pasifika CFO Raewyn Shackleton and Braemar Charitable Trust Chair Vicky McLennan and Trustee Lu-ana Ngatai.
