Braemar Hospital

29/01/2026

🧸 Introducing the cutest way to celebrate 100 years!

Our Braemar teddy bears are now wearing their centenary best, and we couldn't think of a better way to kick off this incredible milestone year.

Every child who comes through our doors gets to take home their very own Braemar bear—because sometimes the best medicine comes with a cuddle. 💙

Throughout 2026, we'll be celebrating a century of making lives better —from founder Sister Frances Young's vision in 1926 to today's innovative healthcare. We'll be sharing stories, videos, and memories that showcase what makes Braemar special.

Got a Braemar story to share? We'd love to hear it! Comment below or email us at 100years@braemarhospital.co.nz

Here's to 100 years of compassion, excellence, and teddy bear hugs. 🎉

23/12/2025

We're proud to support our community! 🎄

Our kitchen team donated surplus produce to the Salvation Army Hamilton as we closed for the holidays. Nothing goes to waste at Braemar Hospital – sustainability and community care go hand in hand.

The team were delighted to receive high-quality items including roast lamb and ham, which will help create Christmas kai packages for whānau in need across our community.

To everyone at the Salvation Army – thank you for the incredible mahi you do. We're honoured to play a small part in making Christmas special for those who need extra support.

22/12/2025

We're off from today for our annual summer break. 🏖️

Braemar Hospital will re-open on Wednesday 7 January 2026, with reception open for incoming patient enquiries from Tuesday 6 January 2026.

Thank you to all our wonderful staff, specialists, suppliers, partners, and patients for your support in 2025. We hope you have a safe and relaxing Christmas and New Year. Meri Kirihimete. 🎄

18/12/2025

Festive kai for our awesome staff and specialists today at the annual Braemar Hospital Xmas Lunch in the Frances Young Memorial Garden. 🍒Thanks to the Braemar executive team for dishing out the delicious goodies made by our exceptional kitchen staff, and thanks to all our amazing staff and specialists for all your hard work in 2025!

15/12/2025

☀️ Powering into our next century with sunshine! ☀️

As Braemar Hospital prepares to celebrate 100 years of caring for our community in 2026, we're lighting the way forward with solar energy.

Nearly 280 solar panels are now on our rooftop, creating 9% of our energy needs and offsetting 2.5 million kilowatts and 26.87 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. From operating theatres to patient care, we're showing that world-class healthcare and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Thanks to our shareholder the Braemar Charitable Trust and Freenergy Solar Solutions for making this sustainable investment a reality. Here's to the next 100 years of innovation, care, and environmental stewardship!

🔗 Read the full story 👉https://www.braemarhospital.co.nz/news/news/

04/12/2025

This is Christmas spirit at its finest. 🎄

What a difference this generous donation will make to meeting the health needs of our wider Waikato community. Thank you, John and Glenice, for your generous support of Braemar Charitable Trust.

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 health need.

03/12/2025

🤖 We’re making a difference Waikato! Surgical innovation is taking flight in our region.

Braemar Hospital is now the comfortable home to the region's only da Vinci surgical robot. Check out these stats.

✅ 13 patients treated in November alone ✅ 5 trained specialists (with more in training) ✅ Faster recovery, less pain, better outcomes

We're bringing world-class minimally invasive surgery right here to the mighty Waikato.

As Braemar Hospital heads into its 100th year, we're committed to giving our community access to the most advanced surgical options available.

Want to know if robotic surgery is right for you? Talk to your GP, specialist, and insurer.
👉 https://www.braemarhospital.co.nz/robotic-surgery-at-braemar-is-taking-off/

28/11/2025

Friday flashback! Sometimes it is a good idea to let the good news sink in. Last Friday both Braemar Hospital and Braemar Charitable Trust enjoyed great recognition at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. A huge thank you to everyone for your kind comments and support of the Braemar whaanau. We promise we will keep on making your lives better.

21/11/2025

🏆 HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our CEO, Fiona Michel! 🏆
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Fiona has been named CEO of the Year at the 2025 Business Awards, sponsored by University of Waikato!
This prestigious award recognises leaders who demonstrate exemplary leadership — evaluated on company performance, personal contribution to success, leadership qualities, and the esteem in which they're held by their peers.
Anyone who knows Fiona knows she leads Braemar Hospital with humility and a genuine passion for enabling others to shine. She lifts people up, creates space for her team to thrive, and leads by example every single day.
As Braemar Hospital heads into our 100th year in 2026, we couldn't be prouder to have Fiona at the helm.
👏 Well deserved, Fiona! And a great night for the Braemar family with Braemar Charitable Truat winning the For Purpose category.

24/10/2025

Great to be able to share our latest surgical innovation with Ryan Hamilton MP for Hamilton East and Hon. Simeon Brown today. Proud to be first to bring a da Vinci surgical robot to the Waikato to support our surgeons and patients. Thanks for visiting!

16/10/2025

🤖✨ Making History in the Waikato!
Last week, something extraordinary happened at Braemar Hospital. Samantha Akhtar became the first person in the Waikato to undergo robotic surgery using our new da Vinci robot.

After 18 months of severe pain, Samantha was referred for a robotic hysterectomy with Dr Tarek Saleh. Her response when told a robot would help perform her surgery? "That sounds cool."

What made this milestone even more special wasn't just the cutting-edge technology – it was the people. Charge nurse Sonia, anaesthetist Rob, and Dr Saleh held her hand (literally!) and made her feel supported every step of the way.

"This surgery has given me the freedom to be me again – and that is really huge," Samantha (pictured) says.

Dr Saleh reflects: "We're late to the party, but we're here now. I feel really lucky being the first surgeon to do robotics in the Waikato."

The benefits? Quicker recovery, less pain, smaller incisions, and reduced complications. Braemar Hospital soon will be planning having a robotic theatre operating four days a week with more surgeons being trained in gynaecology, urology, and general surgery.

Read Samantha's full story on our website. https://www.braemarhospital.co.nz/making-history-waikatos-first-robotic-surgery-at-braemar-hospital/

Here's to a new chapter in Waikato healthcare – one patient, one caring team, one incredible milestone at a time. 💙

09/10/2025

🏥 A New Zealand first for heart surgery!

Braemar Hospital is now the country's first private hospital to offer endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) – a revolutionary technique that transforms the heart bypass surgery experience.

Instead of one large 80cm incision, patients now have just three small cuts (½-2cm each). The result? Less pain, minimal scarring, faster recovery, and lower infection risk.

"It's a complete game-changer for our patients," says cardiothoracic surgeon David McCormack.

Read more about how this innovative technology is improving patient outcomes ➡️

Pictured: The team supporting endoscopic vein harvesting at Braemar. From left cardiothoracic surgeons David McCormack, Nish*th Patel, and Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant Kelsey Abercrombie and Braemar Associate Theatre Manager Daphne Van Dam. New Zealand’s First Private Hospital to Offe...