|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Sixteen children are set to receive much-needed ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery thanks to a Community Surgery Day at Ormiston Hospital and Healthcare on Saturday, May 9.
It’s happening in partnership with the Southern Cross Health Trust’s Charitable Surgery Programme.
The Community Surgery Day will provide six adenotonsillectomies and 10 grommet procedures to children aged between one to nine, addressing long-standing issues that may have impacted their hearing, learning and well-being.
This marks the second Community Surgery Day hosted by Ormiston Hospital.
The first was held in May, 2025, enabling eight children to receive grommet surgery and helping to support health outcomes for local families.
Ormiston Hospital chief executive officer Angela Shaw says the initiative reflects the hospital’s commitment to community well-being.
“As a hospital with strong ties to our community, we see first-hand how important timely care is for children’s development and well-being.
“By bringing together skilled clinicians and charitable support, we’re able to help make a meaningful difference locally.
“For the tamariki and whānau taking part, this can be a turning point – helping to restore not only hearing, but also connection and the opportunity to thrive.
“We’re incredibly proud of our clinical teams and grateful to the Southern Cross Health Trust for making this possible.”
Many of the children receiving surgery have faced challenges in accessing timely care.
Untreated hearing loss can mean relying on hearing aids, struggling in the classroom, and missing out on vital developmental opportunities.
ENT surgeon Dr Angus Shao, from ENT Group, who will be operating alongside Dr Lesley Salkeld, highlighted how simple procedures can help to deliver profound outcomes.
“A grommet procedure typically takes just 10 to 15 minutes, but the difference it can make is extraordinary.
“For these children, it’s not just about hearing better – it’s about confidence, language development and being able to fully participate with their peers.”
Anaesthetic care on the day will be provided by Dr Marlin de Silva and Dr Francois Stapelberg, with all specialists generously donating their time and expertise.
The hospital costs are fully funded by the Southern Cross Health Trust through its Charitable Surgery Programme, which supports people who face barriers to accessing timely care.
The average cost of a grommet procedure is $2,900 and the average cost of an adenotonsillectomy is $5,100.
Some surgical treatments that help people maintain quality of life can be unaffordable or can have long wait times.
Through the Charitable Surgery Programme, these gaps are addressed at no cost to patients or families.
Since July, 2017, the Trust has funded more than $3 million in charitable surgeries, helping over 570 people across New Zealand.
The programme supports procedures across a wide range of specialties including ENT, orthopaedics, gynaecology and urology – helping to restore independence, dignity, and well-being for those in the community.
- For more information, visit www.southerncrosshealthcare.co.nz.
