Local Doctors Ōtara is now open 24/7

We’re proud to share that Local Doctors Ōtara is now officially open 24/7 for urgent care — bringing round-the-clock support closer to home for South Auckland whānau.

Last month, we marked this important moment with a visit from Health Minister Simeon Brown, celebrating the launch of overnight urgent care at our Watford Road clinic.

This is the first time our Ōtara clinic has offered care through the night, helping fill a long-standing gap in after-hours services across South Auckland. It means more flexibility for families, easier access to urgent care when it’s needed most, and fewer people having to travel to Middlemore Hospital for lower-acuity concerns.

Our doctors and teams have seen first-hand how challenging after-hours care can be. Many patients were previously spending long hours waiting in emergency departments — sometimes returning home without being seen. Now, they have another local option.

We’ll continue welcoming walk-ins, including casual and visiting patients. Children under 14 are seen free of charge, Community Services Card holders receive additional subsidies, and after-hours fees remain unchanged.

This service reflects the real needs of the Ōtara community — and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make it happen, from our clinical teams to our partners and supporters behind the scenes.

Thank you to all our staff delivering and supporting this new 24/7 service. We’re proud to keep caring for our community, day and night.