Local GP Ayman Shenouda, who chairs the Wagga GP After Hours Service (WGPAHS) Cooperative, said the clinic helped reduce pressure on the emergency department at the Base Hospital.

As The Daily Advertiser reported in June, an increasing number of patients are presenting at Wagga Base Hospital's emergency department with complaints that could have been treated by general practitioners.

This year's data for January to March, released by the Bureau of Health Information, show the number of patients seeking treatment at Wagga Base Hospital's emergency department for non-urgent conditions rose by more than 15 per cent to 1411.

The WGPAHS clinic was established in 2003 and is operated by 41 GPs from eight local general practices who work on a rotating roster

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network chief executive officer Melissa Neal said the clinic should be the first option by people requiring non-life threatening medical attention after hours.

"The Wagga GP After Hours Service is staffed by committed local GPs who provide high quality patient care when their regular surgery is closed," Ms Neal said.

"It is absolutely vital during this time for people who are unwell continue to see a medical professional for treatment, even outside of normal business hours."

Dr Shenouda said the clinic could minimise waiting time for patients by offering a more appropriate primary care alternative to the Wagga Base emergency department.

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"The service addresses urgent medical treatment for general practice patients who cannot wait to see their regular GP the next day," Dr Shenouda said.

"The GPs that have participated in the WGPAHS for the last 17 years feel it is a privilege to provide this service to their local community every day of the year."

Since its establishment, the WGPAHS has provided more than 110,000 patient consultations, mostly at the Morgan Street clinic but also with GP visits to aged care facilities.

Dr Shenouda said the clinic would continue to strive to meet the changing health needs of the local community.

"We intend to work closely with the community to adopt new and improved practices to provide a high standard of healthcare both now and into the future," he said.

"Our staff are proud of the service we offer and we hope to help many more local patients in the years to come."

For more information on accessing the clinic visit mphn.org.au/after-hours