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.
How does it work?
We partner with volunteer 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.
We welcome referrals for 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.
What procedures are covered?
All surgeries are approved on a case by case basis, and subject to funds and specialist availability. Approved surgeries may include:
Children's ENT procedures
Minor plastics (skin lesion removals, carpal tunnel, painful lipomas)
General (hernia, gall bladder, PR bleeding) and laparoscopic surgeries
Echocardiograms
Some gynaecological procedures
Oral surgery requiring general anaesthetic
We are not able to provide knee, hip or shoulder orthopaedic surgeries, bariatric surgery or breast reduction surgery.
How do I make a referral?
Referrals can be made by GPs, specialists, dentists and nurse practitioners by completing the referral form and emailing it to our Community Surgery Programme lead at admin@braemartrust.co.nz.
In addition to the form, please include a detailed letter providing the patient's full medical history, why they should be considered for the surgery, 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.
Community Surgery Day
On one Saturday each year, we enable dozens of patients to receive free surgeries during our Community Surgery Day.
This is when Braemar Hospital opens its doors on a Saturday and surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, hospital staff, partner health providers and volunteers come together to provide free procedures to many people in one day.
Typical surgeries provided include general and vascular surgery, colonoscopies, endoscopy, children's ENT procedures, gynaecological procedures and specialist adult and paediatric dental surgery.
217
Free surgeries and procedures completed in 2025-26, up 39.1% from last year
279
Referrals to the Community Surgery Programme in 2025-26, up 34.7%
740
Hours donated by specialists and staff in 2025-26