Braemar Hospital facts for kids

Braemar Hospital is one of New Zealand's largest private hospitals. It is owned by the Braemar Charitable Trust. This hospital is located in Hamilton, New Zealand. It's important to know that there was another hospital with a similar name, Braemar Hospital, in Nelson, New Zealand. However, they were completely separate and not connected.

Braemar Hospital first opened its doors in 1926. It moved to its current location on Ohaupo Road in Melville in 2009.

About Braemar Hospital

Braemar Hospital is a private hospital. This means it is not run by the government. It offers many different medical services. The hospital has 85 beds for patients. It also has eight operating theatres. These are special rooms where doctors perform surgeries.

What Does Braemar Hospital Do?

Each year, Braemar Hospital performs about 10,000 surgeries and medical procedures. These procedures help people get better. In 2014, the hospital started a special service. This service helps to check for bowel cancer early.

The hospital uses very advanced technology. It was the first private hospital in New Zealand to offer endoscopic ultrasound. This is a special way to look inside the body. It was also the first hospital in Australia and New Zealand to use ultra high-definition imaging tools. These tools help doctors see very clearly during surgery. This allows them to do more keyhole surgeries. Keyhole surgery uses very small cuts.

Helping the Community

Braemar Hospital aims to keep its fees fair. Any extra money the hospital earns goes back into the hospital. This money helps to improve the hospital's services. It also supports charitable activities. For example, the hospital sometimes provides free surgery. It also helps doctors and nurses with their ongoing training. This ensures they always have the latest knowledge.

Looking to the Future

In 2015, Braemar Hospital began a big expansion plan. This plan cost about $20 million. The hospital needed to grow because more older people need orthopaedic surgery. This type of surgery helps with bones and joints. The expansion helps the hospital meet the needs of the community.

The hospital also works with the Hamilton City Council. They discuss how much the hospital pays in rates. Rates are like taxes that help pay for city services. The hospital wants to make sure these costs are fair. This helps them continue to provide great care.