A significant donation from the Glenice and John Gallagher Foundation will help a charitable trust address several areas of unmet health need in the Waikato region.
Braemar Charitable Trust has received multi-year funding of $100,000 each year for three years to enable it to pilot and scale innovative initiatives to address areas of significant need including patients on waiting lists who need echocardiograms (ECGs) and colonoscopies, and children needing specialist paediatric dental surgery.
The Trust is the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, one of the largest private hospitals in New Zealand. Its vision is to advance healthcare equity and access, and it has a range of activities to deliver on its charitable purpose to improve health outcomes in our community.
Trust Manager Paula Baker says the funding will allow the Trust to implement outside-the-box initiatives that will have a significant impact on the health outcomes of people in our community.
“We are extremely grateful for the Glenice and John Gallagher Foundation’s foresight in supporting our work and we deeply appreciate and acknowledge their willingness to fund innovative and sustainable health solutions.”
Ms Baker says the funding has been deliberately targeted to address areas of high patient need in the Waikato region.
One area is for patients requiring an echocardiogram – an ultrasound scan used to diagnose heart conditions.
“We know there is a long wait time for diagnostic ECGs, and that ‘urgent’ cases can take months to be seen. There is also a group of patients who have received the care they need and may be waiting for a final ECG to close out their case.”
The second area is colonoscopies, where patients can also face long wait times and, in some cases, are forced to go private to be seen in a timely manner.
“A quarter of those on the public list are waiting well over the maximum waiting time, and we know from our discussions with our community partners that colonoscopies are in high demand, particularly in complex cases.
“The Gallagher’s funding means we can explore and plan a flexible arrangement in partnership with our networks of specialists and healthcare providers to deliver some procedures and help relieve pressure in the public system.”
The third area of funding will focus on children needing specialist paediatric dental surgery, specifically for children who need procedures performed under general anaesthesia.
“Referrals for these procedures have increased markedly in the past couple of years,” says Paula. “We have been managing to assist many tamariki thanks to a very dedicated Braemar specialist and we know there is a pressing need for this service in the community, alongside follow up orthodontic support.
“This funding will allow us to continue to take a patient-centred approach and help many more children.”
A strong history of support.
The Foundation was established in 2011 and is dedicated to supporting community projects throughout New Zealand, with a focus on the Waikato region, by supporting initiatives and activities that empower communities to grow stronger and become more self-reliant.
The Foundation has previously supported Braemar Charitable Trust’s work, including funding to help deliver Community Surgery Days, dental treatment and dentures in the refugee community, and professional development for GPs in minor surgeries and skin lesion removal.
By the numbers: Trust’s patient figures increase
Braemar Charitable Trust’s flagship offering is its Community Surgery Programme, where specialists (surgeons and anaesthetists) donate their time and expertise to perform free surgeries and health interventions for eligible patients.
In the most recent financial year ended 31 March 2025, the Trust enabled 159 free surgeries for those in need, an increase of 124% on the previous year. The Trust spent $88,000 on associated costs but estimates these surgeries and procedures would have cost $500,000 in real terms.
