Wānaka’s after-hours health service will be located at the Enliven Care Centre on Cardrona Valley Road, it was announced this afternoon (Thursday August 8).

Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora and Central Otago Health Services Limited (COHSL) said the service will include two clinic rooms in a “secure facility” with accessible car parking.

“The location is an ideal choice with other clinical staff in close proximity in the event of an emergency,” the joint statement said.

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.

“Recruitment for the clinical nurse specialist roles is going well, and we are on track for a September opening date,” COHSL chief executive Hayley Anderson said today.

Remote telehealth support will be provided by the Dunstan Hospital overnight senior doctor, she said.

During his announcement in June Dr Shane Reti acknowledged the after hours service was “a starting point”.

A more “focused discussion” on infrastructure for this area would not happen until early 2025, he said. 

Health New Zealand Te Waipounamu system integration group manager Cathy O’Malley said she was “pleased to see planning on this important service progressing well”.

“This interim solution will assist with accessible urgent care while we work to define the broader models of care to be provided in the long-term, across the region,” she said.

Community-led advocacy group Health Action Wānaka has said it is encouraged by the announcement of the “stop gap” after hours service but says it will continue to advocate for a “sustainable after-hours service, such as a publicly funded emergency department”.

Further details on the nurse-led after hours service, including the opening date, fee structure and operating model will be shared in the coming weeks, the statement said.

See also: Health services to wait for infrastructure & investment plan

PHOTO: Supplied