Ara Institute of Canterbury has confirmed it will no longer provide an on-campus GP.
The Ara Health Centre had been without a GP since June, leading students to be without answers about a campus doctor for nearly four months.
Health Centre manager and registered nurse Susan Woods announced this morning in an email to patients that a search for a new GP had been unsuccessful and there would no longer be a GP on campus.
Woods said the decision came after a long search to find a replacement.
“Ara has been unable to secure a suitable appointment in the context of the continuing national shortage of GPs.”
Students were temporarily enrolled at Moorhouse Medical Centre while Ara tried to find another GP.
Ara has said it would refund the difference between the Moorhouse Medical Centre fee and the usual subsidised Ara fee.
However, this arrangement is ending soon.
“GP services will end on the 11 September 2026, as our contract arrangement with Christchurch Primary Health Organisation comes to an end,” Woods said.
Students already enrolled in the Health Centre will “be contacted directly and supported to connect with another GP or primary health provider", but students who were not enrolled have not been informed about the change.
She said the Health Centre will remain open and offer students “social work, counselling, nurse-led triage and other health services”.
The University of Canterbury has three GPs available to its students, according to its website.
