Alexandra will soon be home to a seven-day Urgent Care Centre, providing a walk-in service for non-life threatening injuries and illness.

The facility will be operated by HealthCentral at its new location of 105-107 Tarbert St, from July 8.

The service will be available to everyone in Central Otago, including visitors to the region.

They will be able access the centre every day from 8am to 6pm without a referral or appointment.

Patients registered with HealthCentral will receive discounted rates, including at weekends.

Examples of the conditions that will be managed in the clinic includes, but is not limited to, sporting injuries, chest pain, shortness of breath, unwell children, coughs, colds, Covid, cuts, grazes, urinary tract infections, ambulance presentations, workplace accidents and illness.

Anyone who requires assistance after hours, from 6pm to 8am should call HealthCentral on 03 440 0295 and their call will be diverted to a new telehealth provider who can arrange for them to be seen, if required.

People with a medical emergency must call 111.

The new Urgent Care Centre will be available to everyone across Central, including visitors to the region. PHOTO: Supplied

HealthCentral, which is the largest primary care practice in Alexandra, is both solution and strategically focused.

A media statement highlighted that for many years the service has identified gaps and inequities in service provision across the rural region, and with no imminent support or solutions available, it was decided to “not wait and proceed with opening a much needed Urgent Care Centre.

The centre has been purpose built to service the wider Central Otago community and its visitors.

GP and clinical director Kate Dixon is among those looking forward to providing the service.

“I am really excited to be able to improve access to urgent care for patients in Central Otago,” she said.

General manager Jenaya Smith was looking forward to opening the doors, following what had been a big task.

“This project has been a massive undertaking, so it is very rewarding to see the new facility we have worked so hard on come to fruition.”

HealthCentral will offer short public tours of the new facilities closer to its opening date.