GP practice changes hands after 29 years
Back-to-back appointments greeted Dr Simon Schultz on his first day of taking over the practice of a doctor who has served Timaru for 29 years.
After a year working as a locum for the South Canterbury District Health Board, the German national was "very excited" to start work as a general practitioner (GP) at Highfield Medical Centre last week, Dr Richard Price - who had worked at the practice since 1990 - having seen his last patient.
The practice had been purchased from Price by Dr Mary McSherry, owner of Parkside Medical Centre, and now operated as a satellite to the Heaton St premises.
Schulz, hired by McSherry to take over Price’s patient list, joked it had been far from a ‘‘gentle transition’’ for him - a fully-booked schedule greeting him on his first day.
‘‘But I can’t complain. I’m very pleased to have this opportunity and it’s going really well.’’
Schulz moved to Timaru with his wife and two children last year. He enjoyed the outdoor opportunities the region offered especially for fishing, hiking, and skiing.
Practice manager Jo Clarkson said there had been a few ‘‘teething problems’’ behind the scenes, with merging the two practice’s computer systems.
Another big task ahead was digitising years worth of patients’ files. Expected to take about six months, a person would be coming in for two-and-a-half days a week to get the task done.
Price, who retired after 41 years as a GP, was a life member of the New Zealand Alpine Club and had served as a medical adviser for the New Zealand Naval Search and Rescue Organisation and the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council.
He made six attempts to climb Mt Everest before reaching the summit in 1997.