What We Do
Our Purpose
The Heart Trust is an incorporated charitable trust established in 1976 to accelerate access to advanced cardiac care for the Waikato region. Our founding aim was to support the development of cardiac surgery at Waikato Hospital, but our mission has grown to encompass all aspects of heart health—bridging the gap between rapid medical advances and the slower pace of government funding.
What We Do
Act as a catalyst for the introduction of cutting-edge cardiac technology and treatments.
Provide seed funding for equipment and services, enabling hospitals to adopt life-saving innovations sooner.
Partner with District Health Boards and hospitals to ensure the region receives care equal to or better than anywhere else in New Zealand
History of The Heart Trust
The Heart Trust was originally established as The Waikato Heart Trust on 31 Aug 1976 with the aim of establishing Cardiac Surgery at Waikato Hospital. Two fundraising appeals were held by Lions’ Clubs in 1976 and 1998.
As Hamilton was not considered a “main centre” it didn’t have access to some of the diagnostic and clinical support infrastructure necessary. The Trust’s initial efforts were directed at creating the equipment and training infrastructure that would support modern Cardiology and Cardiac surgery. Once the cardiac surgical objective was reached in 1989, the Trust has concentrated on bringing “cutting edge” cardiac services to Waikato Hospital for the benefit of the people of the Midland region sooner than might otherwise be the case through government funding (In a number of cases this has benefited NZ as a whole eg TAVI). Mostly this has focused on procuring the most up to date technology for cardiac services. The Trust has always worked in partnership with Waikato Hospital management.
The Heart Trust: enabling world-class cardiac care for the Midland region, today and for the future
The Heart Trust supports community health and family wellbeing by accelerating access to advanced cardiac care and ensuring that people in the Midland region receive world-class heart diagnostic and treatment services. By acting as a catalyst, the Trust bridges the gap between rapidly evolving medical technology and the slower pace of government funding, allowing hospitals to offer life-saving equipment and procedures sooner than would otherwise be possible.
Key ways The Heart Trust enhances community health and family wellbeing include:
Investing in State-of-the-Art Technology
The Heart Trust provides seed funding for cutting-edge cardiac equipment, such as Holter monitoring systems, telemetry for continuous patient monitoring, and advanced surgical instruments. This ensures timely detection and treatment of heart conditions, directly saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
Supporting Specialist Recruitment and Training
By funding staff training, education, and assisting with the recruitment of highly skilled medical professionals, the Heart Trust helps maintain a high standard of care and ensures that families in the region have access to expert cardiac services.
Enabling New Treatments and Services
The Heart Trust has introduced innovative procedures, such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and nurse-led endoscopic vein harvesting, making less invasive and more effective treatments available to patients. These advances reduce recovery times and improve quality of life for both patients and their families.
Focusing on At-Risk Families
Through partnerships with hospitals and organisations like Kidscan, the Heart Trust supports services that track and care for individuals in families with inherited cardiac diseases, helping prevent sudden cardiac events and offering peace of mind to families.
Community Impact
Since its inception, the Heart Trust’s initiatives have benefited over one million people in the region, helping those with angina, heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, valve disorders, and congenital heart disease to live healthier, longer lives.
The Heart Trust’s ongoing commitment ensures that crucial cardiac services are available sooner, helping families stay together and communities thrive through better heart health.
Email: info@thehearttrust.org.nz
Phone: 027 391 5854
Address: 14 Horne Street, Hamilton 3204