The small community of Murchison hailed a sigh of relief following Board Chief Executive John Peters’ announcement last night that NMDHB will not shut down Murchison Hospital. However, the efforts launched by the residents to prevent the hospital from closing its doors didn’t actually pay them.

Besides, this partial victory, residents will have to pay for GP visits from now on. But, it is claimed that the income incurred in this form will still not be able to cover up the operating losses of $100,000 witnessed per year.

The formal approval for maintaining the hospital's six long-term care beds was granted by the Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board.

Murchison, south of Nelson, was one of the very few areas in New Zealand where GP visits were free, as the area is deemed to be a special area of need.

Residents would now have to shell out for GP visits based on their age and whether they possessed a community services card. The rates are reported to lie between $25 and $45 per visit. However, for children under six, the visit would be free.

The charges to be followed in Murchison is claimed to be based on the same pattern, which is being followed in the rest of Nelson and Marlborough.