Mataura residents look likely to be relying on talking to a GP over the phone or visiting locums from 27th December, after it was announced that the town's only resident doctor, Dr Elaine Munro, would be leaving the practice early in the new year.

Attempts by the Mataura Medical Clinic's administrators, Te Hau o Te Ora, to find a supporting or replacement GP have so far failed.

Te Hau o Te Ora, a joint venture between WellSouth Primary Health Network, Hokonui Rūnanga and Awarua Whānau Services, said in a letter from its board to patients that despite advertising locally, nationally and internationally, finding GPs to live and work in Southland has proved difficult.

However the board promised to continue its recruitment drive over the coming months.

In the meantime patients who call the medical centre from 27th December would be triaged by staff according to need.

Those requiring a GP appointment would be helped by a team of online GPs, who would either provide the care they needed online or arrange for an appointment with an on-site doctor.

Appointments with nurses will however remain unaffected.

Dr Elaine Munro is due to leave the Mataura practice in mid-February to pursue other interests.