Healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses and counsellors are volunteering their time to provide free primary health care and related services, Dr John Arnold, a Dunedin GP who hopes to open Servants Health Centre in Princes St before the end of the year, says.
Social agencies have welcomed the plan as a significant initiative which will meet a pressing need.
Servants Health Centre has leased a street-front building near the corner of Princes St and Moray Pl and is awaiting building consents to make alterations before opening.
The centre's board of trustees are Dr Arnold, who has been a GP in South Dunedin for 20 years, Dunedin Hospital head of surgery Professor Andre van Rij, and midwife and counsellor Helen Ferguson.
"It will be a health centre for people who are struggling to afford healthcare," Dr Arnold said.
"A lot of people aren't going to the doctor, or they might take their children but not take themselves, or they go but don't pay.
"We think there is a huge opportunity here to help those who are really struggling."
No-one will be charged for seeing a health professional at the centre, which will be funded by government primary healthcare funding and donations.
The centre has a database of about 80 people who have offered "their help, time or support", Dr Arnold said.
At the start of this year, Dr Arnold reduced his hours at his South Dunedin practice to pursue his dream of a free health centre.
"When I became a follower of Jesus six years ago, I discovered God has a lot of love for all people," Dr Arnold said.
"I used to work to make money to be comfortable, but I've found for joy you need to work for something bigger than yourself.
"We are here to serve."
Those volunteering their services include specialist health professionals who can be called on to provide advice.
The centre is also building links with other health providers, social agencies and churches "because we want to provide holistic care". Presbyterian Support Otago chief executive Gillian Bremner said the centre "looks like it has the potential to be a significant support in the city".
Pact service manager Karen Lesley said the health centre "would be excellent" for her organisation's clients who had intellectual disabilities or were recovering from mental illness.
"Any improvement in health outcomes is good for life and wellbeing . . . especially for those who rely more on others," Mrs Lesley said.
The central location would enable people from throughout the city to access the centre's services, Dr Arnold said.
Asked whether he expected people to abuse the offer of free healthcare, Dr Arnold reiterated that no-one would be turned away but that the service was targeting "people who are struggling".
"We want to build relationships with people.
"If we discover over time that they don't really need our services then we will be suggesting they consider going to another health centre."
