By the community – for the community

The Canterbury Charity Hospital provides FREE medical, surgical and dental services to the people of Canterbury and the West Coast

The Charity Hospital provides FREE elective day surgery and medical outpatient clinics for those in our community who can’t access these services because they:

  •  Have been turned down by the public health system
  •  Don’t have medical insurance 
  •  Don’t have any other means of covering the cost of their treatment.

The Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust is a unique organisation as we operate almost exclusively on the goodwill of volunteer staff.

Our 300 volunteers are the heart and soul of our organisation. Without them, we wouldn’t exist. Clinical Nurse Manager

It costs over $1 million a year to run the Canterbury Charity Hospital and we rely almost entirely on donations from the public. 

We are very grateful for every donation as, no matter how big or small, it helps people who would otherwise not receive their treatment. 

Canterbury Charity Hospital

Who We Are

About the Trust

The hospital’s development so far…

The Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust was established by the community, for the community in 2007. Over the years many doctors, nurses, dentists, health professionals and public-spirited people have volunteered their time and expertise to help make the charity hospital’s free services a success. Our patients come from throughout Canterbury and the South Island’s West Coast.

The Trust does not receive any Government funding and operates thanks to donations, grants and the generosity of the wider community.