After two years of locums, two new doctors have been appointed to the East Otago Health practice in Palmerston.
Dr Neil Lockley and Dr Helen Reid, who both live in Otago, will start at the practice on April 11.
Professor Campbell Murdoch, who practices part-time, will continue in the practice.
The area has been serviced by locum doctors since Dr Jeremy Hay left in April 2014.
Five Scottish-trained locums worked for five to six months each at the practice as they completed their rural GP qualifications.
The new doctors will work with four prime nurses who cover overnight and weekend work.
East Otago Health Trust chairwoman Mary O'Connell said the trust would tender for a new $1million health centre for Palmerston in early April.
It was hoped the new health centre would be open in April next year. A helipad will be built separately on the health centre site after the old building is demolished.
