Grateful Patient Program

A meaningful way to say thank you.

Every story counts. Every act of gratitude will make a difference.

Our Grateful Patient Programme is a meaningful way to recognise the care you or someone you love has received at Dunstan Hospital.

Whether it was life-changing treatment, a reassuring conversation or a small act of kindness, you can help us celebrate the people behind that care and support the future of healthcare in Central Otago.

Share Your Story
Make a Donation
Hospital corridor with healthcare staff and patients at the reception desk.

Why Give Through the Grateful Patient Program?

Every act of care at Dunstan leaves a lasting impression, moments of compassion, reassurance, and healing that stay with patients and families long after they leave the hospital. The Grateful Patient Programme offers a meaningful way to say thank you. Your gift not only honours the care you received but helps ensure others experience that same level of dedication and excellence in the years to come.

Personal Connection: Honour the care you received and help others benefit from the same high standard of service close to home.

Lasting Legacy: Your contribution supports long-term improvements in healthcare delivery, innovation, and wellbeing for our region.

Recognition: Choose to acknowledge a specific caregiver, department, or service that made a difference in your jour

Grateful Patient Giving Guide
Two elderly women are pushing a patient on a stretcher outside a hospital or medical facility, with one woman walking ahead holding a water bottle and a folder, and a man assisting from behind. The patient is lying on the stretcher, covered with a blanket, and appears to be resting.

There are many ways to make a difference at Dunstan Hospital. Whether through a donation, a story, or a note of gratitude, your involvement helps strengthen the spirit of care that defines our community-owned hospital. Every gesture big or small helps us continue providing exceptional healthcare, close to home.

Regular Monthly Giving: A small recurring donation has the greatest impact. This can be directed to areas of greatest need or to a department close to your heart.

One Time Donation: Make a donation directly to Dunstan Hospital. Every little bit counts.

Share Your Story: Inspire others by telling us how Dunstan Hospital made a difference in your life.

Nominate a Caregiver: Recognise a staff member who went above and beyond with a tribute gift or personal note of appreciation.

How you can help right now.

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Two female healthcare workers helping a patient during a medical imaging procedure in a hospital room.

News - Our Patients

A Gift that Welcomes Everyone.

Some gifts continue giving long after they are made.

Dorothy Pittaway loved the Central Otago community. After receiving care at Dunstan Hospital, her family made a generous gift that helped fund the refurbishment of Vincent Ward a space that now welcomes patients every day.

Read Dorothys Story

  • Being able to receive my cancer treatment at Dunstan Hospital was massive. I could drive in, have treatment, get home, and rest on my own couch — saving long drives and stress. Having familiar faces who genuinely cared helped keep our family together through it all.

    — Chris Flannery

  • Ella had such an amazing, happy, calm experience before, during and after her surgery thanks to the incredible team at Dunstan Hospital. The Mobile Surgical teams warmth, kindness and gentle care made her healing experience truly positive.

    — Dana on Behalf of Ella Jones

  • When my mum Dorothy and our family needed care, Dunstan Hospital gave us something rare — exceptional care delivered with genuine warmth, dignity and humanity. Over multiple stays, we saw the compassion of the nurses and the attentiveness of the doctors firsthand. That experience stayed with us — it’s why we chose to give back, so other families might feel the same comfort in their most vulnerable moments.

    — Julie Umbers

  • At the end of 2025 I went along to the Dunstan Hospital Foundation Road Show held in the Wanaka and came away thinking that it was an incredibly worthwhile cause that I could give a meaningful donation to that would hopefully benefit many in the community. The Dunstan Hospital is a wonderful rural hospital that family and friends have used over the years and by making a donation I hope that staff and patients can benefit from it both now and in the future.

    - Ann-Louise Stokes

Bequests

How to leave a legacy.

Four simple steps to remember Dunstan Hospital Foundation in your Will.

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Your Impact

Every gift to the Dunstan Hospital Foundation makes a tangible difference. Your generosity helps us invest in advanced equipment, support our dedicated staff, enhance patient care, and strengthen rural healthcare for generations to come. Together, we’re building a healthier future for Central Otago.

  • Your donations may fund the purchase of modern equipment, improved patient rooms, and upgraded clinical spaces, ensuring Dunstan remains at the forefront of rural healthcare and continues to deliver safe, high-quality care close to home.

  • We invest in our people through ongoing education, leadership development, and wellbeing initiatives. These programmes help our clinicians and support staff stay at the cutting edge of healthcare while maintaining a healthy, balanced workforce.

  • Your generosity enables services that go beyond treatment. From counselling and palliative care to community outreach and volunteer coordination, ensuring patients and their families feel supported through every stage of their healthcare journey.

  • Every contribution helps future-proof healthcare in Central Otago. Together, we’re building capacity, improving access, and ensuring that quality hospital care remains available in our community, now and for generations to come.

Every act of gratitude helps strengthen local healthcare for generations to come. Together, we can ensure Dunstan continues to provide exceptional care, close to home.