The Salvation Army offers free GP clinics at West Auckland centre to make healthcare accessible for clients

The Salvation Army will be offering free GP clinics at a West Auckland centre to help break down the barriers to healthcare for its clients.

Four free GP clinics will be running throughout July at the Salvation Army's Waitakere centre - one of its busiest. 

"We know that people feel safe [and] comfortable in our centres and many of these people are very vulnerable, coming to us for food, for housing. So this is just another extension of what we can provide for them," Jono Bell, Salvation Army's National Director of Community Ministries, told Newshub.

"We've had lots of clients in that community not accessing healthcare, so we thought that was a good place to try this," says Bell.

Ministry of Health data shows one in seven adults don't see their GP because it's too expensive.

Common winter illnesses are anticipated at the GP clinics.

"We also have a number of rough sleepers or people in homeless situations who haven't been to the doctor for a long time, so we're anticipating a whole range of issues that we'll be able to support them in," Bell told Newshub.

Even though it's free for children, the Salvation Army says many adults don't have transport to get them there.

The clinic marks the start of the Salvation Army's Winter Appeal.

The first appointments for July's free clinics will take place on Tuesday.

Newshub.