The Catlins Medical Centre Ltd board announced it purchased the Catlins Medical Centre practice from general practitioner Dr Alison Cook in a bid to ensure ongoing health services were available for people in the Catlins area.
Dr Cook said she was satisfied with the outcome.
She made the decision to sell the practice so there would be a smooth transition of health services when she decides to retire.
The Catlins Community Company will continue to own the building in Main Rd but the medical centre company will own the practice.
Catlins Medical Centre Ltd board chairwoman Hilary McNab was pleased with the purchase.
She said the search for a new GP at the practice was already under way in the event Dr Cook retired.
''We're covering all options, really. We're not expecting to find a new GP quickly.''
The practice catered to about 1600 patients and there was a demand for an additional doctor at the practice.
Because of this, the board warned that fees at the centre would increase but would remain the lowest in the surrounding regions.
''The only way to afford another doctor and ensure the practice continues to operate is to increase patient fees.''
The board will do its best to keep any increases as ''economical as possible'', however the only alternative to the price increase was to close the practice.
''And we didn't want that to happen,'' Mrs McNab said.
It was about remaining financially viable while still meeting the needs of our community.
''The district was very fortunate to have had the excellent services of Dr Cook for more than 38 years.''
Dr Cook will be on leave until October to visit family and medical services will be provided by locum cover while she is away.
The medical centre board was formed with the purpose of retaining local GP services in Owaka and its surrounding communities.
The board was loaned the funds to buy the practice from the Catlins Community Company.
The board will take over the ownership tomorrow.
