By the community, for the community
The Canterbury Charity Hospital provides FREE surgical, medical and dental services to people in Canterbury and the West Coast who cannot access public care and cannot afford private treatment.
Since opening in 2007, the Charity Hospital has delivered thousands of life-changing procedures, all made possible through the generosity of volunteers, donors, and our community.
Every day, we help people who have nowhere else to turn, ensuring they receive safe, timely, dignified care.
The Charity Hospital is staffed by a fantastic team of skilled surgeons, dentists, anaesthetists and nurses, who generously provide their services free of charge. They are supported by a small core team of paid staff and guided by our Board of Trustees.
This unique model allows us to provide hundreds of procedures each year across general surgery, gastroenterology, oral surgery, dentistry, orthopaedic and podiatric services, and other specialties as community needs evolve.
Learn about patient eligibility requirements and access referral forms.For Referrers
Help us continue our work with a one-off or recurring donation.For Donors
Learn about volunteer opportunities and apply online.For Volunteers
Learn how to get treatment at the Charity Hospital, and what to expect when you visit.For Patients
How we help
We receive referrals from GPs, dentists and other practitioners for patients who:
Cannot access public hospital care,
Cannot afford private healthcare, and
Are not covered by ACC.
Our services are reviewed regularly to match what our region needs most, from endoscopy and cataracts to urology, gynaecology, dental/oral surgery, and minor orthopaedics. We continue to expand facilities, consulting spaces and surgical capacity as demand grows.
Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa.
Help us by donating or volunteering today.
65%
Direct Patient Care
For every $ donated, 82 cents goes directly to patient care.
100%
Community-funded
We don’t receive any Government funding.
300
Volunteers
In our medical and administrative teams.
1,356
Total Appointments
Latest figures for 2024-25 (to date)
Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa.
Your generosity makes our work possible.
Want to refer a patient?
View our available services, and relevant application forms for healthcare professionals.
Want to volunteer?
Volunteer your time at the Charity Hospital, view the relevant information by following the link.
Want to donate to the Charity Hospital?
There are many ways that you can help the Canterbury Hospital. Help us continue doing this.
