Doctor named GP of the year ahead of retirement

An East Sussex doctor has been named GP of the year ahead of his retirement.

Mark Gaffney is a senior partner and chairman of Eastbourne-based Victoria Medical Centre (VMC), as well as clinical director of the Victoria Primary Care Network in the town.

During his 41-year career, Dr Gaffney was "instrumental" in establishing the out-of-hours GP service for the local area and instigating a "hospice at home" service, NHS Sussex said.

Dr Gaffney, who said he was not expecting to win, added: "I am retiring at the end of the year, so winning this award marks the end of my career."

The doctor was also one of those behind the merging of four surgeries to form the VMC, and even postponed his retirement to oversee the centre's operations.

"I wanted to build the VMC and leave it for the next generation," Dr Gaffney said.

He also said he was "very proud" of his 25 years of work at a spinal injury and severe neuro-disability unit in the county.

Dr Gaffney said the award made it "the perfect time to go".

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