Free surgeries and procedures performed through Braemar Charitable Trust’s Community Surgery Programme are up more than a third on last year according to newly released highlights for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Braemar Charitable Trust is the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand’s largest private hospitals, and funds a range of charitable activities including free community surgeries, health sector capability building, scholarships and medical research all underpinned by an equity and access lens.
In the financial year ended 31 March 2026, the Trust enabled 217 free surgeries and procedures for those in need, up 39.1% from last year’s figure of 157. These were delivered at Braemar Hospital and in the community.
These procedures are delivered through the Trust’s flagship Community Surgery Programme where specialists and anaesthetists donate their time and skill for patients who have been declined by the public health system, and don’t have ACC cover, health insurance, or the financial means to pay privately.
Braemar Charitable Trust Chair Vicky McLennan says the latest figures reflect the generosity of clinicians, staff and volunteers to help those in the community who need it most.
“As a Trust, our mission is simple: to improve health outcomes in our community. We are also incredibly fortunate to be supported by many people who share our vision and believe in what we do.
“We’re also unique in that being the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, we have in-house skills and resources to draw on, particularly when it comes to our annual Community Surgery Day where the hospital generously opens its doors on a Saturday to enable many people to receive free, lifechanging care in one day.”
Responding to changing health needs with innovation and flexibility
Ms McLennan says the Trust also works to address changing community health needs by employing a nimble and innovative approach where practicable.
“We know from our conversations with colleagues and community healthcare providers that there are long waits for some diagnostics and minor surgical procedures, with some people waiting months to be seen.”
To help address this, in 2025/2026 the Trust enabled 62 free patient consultations and 42 free community-based procedures with specialists.
“As our population continues to grow, so too does the pressure on the public health system. We’re focused on how we can continue to use the skills of our wonderful specialists to respond to changing health needs and to think outside the traditional system in our approach to healthcare.”
Building capability in the health sector
One of the Trust’s charitable activities focuses on building capacity in the wider health sector, both now and in the future.
“We do this by providing funding for scholarships, research and ongoing professional development for those looking to contribute to our health sector,” says Ms McLennan.
“In collaboration with funding partners and in response to identified areas of need, we have provided free upskilling for GPs to deliver minor procedures in their community, including skin lesion removal, vasectomies and haemorrhoid banding.”
The Trust also supports health and nursing students at the University of Waikato through annual scholarships and contributes to medical research that seeks to improve community health outcomes and enhance equity and access.
“We are very grateful to our funders, partners and volunteers for their ongoing support of our mahi. I also want to thank our growing number of donors who are learning more about what we do and want to be part of improving health outcomes. It means a great deal to us and to the many people we help.”
2025/2026 Annual highlights
Charitable spend
· $298,713 spent by the Trust on all its charitable activities in 2025/2026
· $206,630 spent on the Community Surgery Programme in 2025/2026
· $206,000 invested by the Trust in solar panels for Braemar Hospital
Community Surgery Programme highlights
· 279 referrals to the Community Surgery Programme, up 34.7% on last year
· 217 free surgeries and procedures completed, up 39.1% on last year, provided at Braemar Hospital and in the community
· 740 hours donated by specialists and staff in the year 2025/2026
· 62 initial patient consultations provided by specialists
· 42 free community-based procedures provided by specialists
Capability building
· 14 GPs provided with free upskilling in skin lesion removal, vasectomies and haemorrhoid banding
· 4 scholarships funded for University of Waikato health, nursing or summer research students in 2025
· 21 clinical tertiary students given work experience placements at Braemar Hospital in 2025
· A total of $81,000 spent on health education in the 2025/2026 financial year