Mosgiel GP Richard Muir (65) has retired after 36 years of treating local patients.
Dr Muir joined Mosgiel Health Centre in 1978. Wife Jan retired from the practice last year, where she worked as a nurse.
When Dr Muir joined the practice, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, it was about four years old.
He would miss the patients, whom it had been a privilege to serve, he said.
''It's been a delight to deal with the population I've had in my practice.''
Over that time, Mosgiel had become less independent from Dunedin, and had grown older.
While the population was ageing, he was pleased to see an increase in young families in recent years.
The older population - 26% of the Mosgiel population was over 65 - meant the practice was at the sharp end of the demographic change that is challenging the health service.
Older patients had complicated health needs, which demanded longer consultations.
It meant some older people had to wait longer for GP appointments, and faced longer waits for some hospital services.
Dr Muir believes the health system in Otago and Southland is in ''crisis'' due to a lack of resources to cope with the older population.
The wider area's population was too small to support the level of health service Dunedin was providing.
Some older people were incredibly active and busy these days, he said.
Much had changed since he became a GP.
Conditions such as asthma were easier to manage and had better outcomes, because of advances in medicines.
GPs now had a better work-to-life balance, which was greatly appreciated by their families.
Increased skill levels in the ambulance service meant GPs attended few emergency situations these days.
In 1968, Dr Muir joined the territorial army, signing up for the Otago University Medical Company.
He served in the territorial army until 1996, including three months in the Vietnam War as a medical student, in 1970-71.
Colleagues had been supportive of his army commitments, something he always appreciated.
Originally from Tauranga, Dr Muir came to Dunedin to study medicine. He has lived in Mosgiel since joining the practice.
