The district's after-hours care changed on November 1 last year, when GPs stopped providing after-hours care between 10pm and 8am, citing financial and staffing issues.
Since then, patients have been receiving the telephone triage service that has always been in place, and were then advised to either visit their GP the following day or phone 111 for an ambulance, which would take them to the nearest hospital if necessary.
The new service at Dunstan Hospital was confirmed in a joint statement this week from Central Otago Health Services Ltd, the operating company of Dunstan Hospital; Central Otago After Hours, the organisation that previously delivered the after-hours GP care; WellSouth; and the Southern District Health Board.
After-hours patients will still be triaged through the telephone service, then directed to a newly established after-hours centre at Dunstan Hospital, if they need medical attention.
The centre will not be in the rooms in the hospital building previously used by GPs, but in an area at the back of the hospital. It will be clearly signposted.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said the new system was ''good news''.
''People now have the same service as they did before, but [delivered] by different people''.
Mr Cadogan said he had attended various meetings between health providers about Central Otago's after hours service and ''always felt that the goodwill in the room, and sense of responsibility to the community, would always lead us to find a sensible alternative for after-hours health care in Central''.
The new service has also been welcomed by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, who said it was ''no less than the people of the area deserve''.
''But let's not forget, this overnight service is not a luxury, but something that most people expect to be able to access as of right.''
The new system would be monitored, the joint statement said.
