Planning continues towards the opening of Wānaka’s new after hours medical care, Central Otago Health Services Ltd (COHSL) has confirmed.

The new service, which COHSL is calling Wānaka’s ‘Overnight Acute Care Service’, will be located at the Aspiring Enliven Care Centre on Cardrona Valley Road alongside the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre.

Staff recruitment and roster development is on track, COHSL chief executive Hayley Anderson said on Friday (September 6).

“A staff induction day onsite is planned, and staff will also spend time at Dunstan Hospital to work with the local team and familiarise themselves with processes,” Hayley said.

The purchase of equipment for the new service and fit out of the space is also underway, as is planning for the space to be blessed prior to opening, she added.

Hayley said COHSL would announce the opening date soon.

Locals have been waiting for more information on the service since Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti announced in late June that a nurse-led after-hours service would run for a year from September.

It will be run in a collaboration between Health New Zealand and COHSL.

The new service will include two clinic rooms in a secure facility with accessible car parking, in close proximity to other clinical staff in the event of an emergency.

The nurse-led service will be available from 11pm to 8.30am Monday – Friday, and 11pm – 9am Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, with remote telehealth support provided by a Dunstan Hospital overnight senior doctor.

PHOTOS: Supplied