The Kurow Medical Centre has sourced locum doctors for at least the next 12 months, but finding a permanent doctor for the Waitaki Valley town continues to be a struggle.
The fight to recruit and retain a permanent doctor was not peculiar to Kurow, it was common for small rural practices nationally, Kurow Medical Centre board chairman John Abelen said.
''We're finding it tough,'' he said.
To reduce pressure, the practice had sourced locums for at least the next 12 months and possibly up to 18 months, Mr Abelen said.
With lakes, skifields and the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail on Kurow's doorstep, Mr Abelen thought the position would be attractive to an outdoors person.
A recruitment agency was being used to source a permanent doctor, with an attractive package, including a three-bedroom home, on offer.
Doctors often found being sole-charge and rural-based a lonely lifestyle, without other doctors to bounce ideas off. However, the board made sure they had contacts outside the area to talk to, Mr Abelen said.
The centre's last permanent doctor finished on Tuesday, having been based in Kurow for two weeks on and two weeks off.
Having a permanent doctor would allow patients to get continuity of care from the same doctor, which was particularly important for elderly patients in the community, he said.
It was not the first time the centre had found itself in this position and the board had always managed to find a doctor to fill the position, he said optimistically.
But the search was ''frustrating'', he said.
''We seem to be continually looking for someone permanent.''
Meanwhile, a team of ''excellent'' nurses and staff kept the practice going.
''We're really blessed to have such great nurses,'' he said.
