"We were wondering if we would get anyone today, so we were pleasantly surprised to get three," Dr Arnold said.
"My budget is five people per week, so I think, based on what we've seen today, we're going to see a lot of people.
"Some people have already seen that we can help them and that's all we're really going for."
The centre, which officially opened in the former Landmark Homes office in Princes St yesterday, is aimed at providing health care to those finding it too expensive to visit a doctor.
Dr Arnold, who has been a GP in South Dunedin for 20 years, said the cost of between $25 and $45 to visit a doctor was prohibitive for some people.
The centre was established with some generous donations from different trusts and would run on a combination of donations and the government funding which all GPs receive for every patient seen.
All the doctors, nurses and receptionists at the centre volunteered their services, he said.
Dr Arnold expected up to 20 patients a week might visit the centre within the next six months, but the practice was continually evolving and the figures could change, he said.
The centre is open from Tuesday to Friday and will provide general practice care, maternity care and some counselling.
