Otara health clinic opens up overnight to take pressure off ED

A south Auckland health clinic that is now operating 24-seven is hoping to take the pressure of an overrun Middlemore hospital emergency department. Local Doctors Otara is the first clinic to open through the night in Counties Manukau since 2020. It is gradually extended its opening hours to meet demand, with medical staff previously staying on after official closing because patients were still waiting to be seen. Dr Lloyd McCann, Chief Executive officer for Tamaki Health, which owns Local Doctors, spoke to Lisa Owen.