Dr John Moore is feeling fortunate rather than sad to be stepping down as a second generation solo Whanganui medical practitioner.
The 70-year-old has sold his Wicksteed St practice to South African Annalia Coetzee who, come January, will have clocked up five years at the Gonville Health Centre.
Dr Moore's practice was set up at 176 Wicksteed St in 1946 by his father, John Robert Moore, after he had returned to New Zealand after a five-year stint overseas during World War II.
"My father ran the solo practice here until he retired in 1978 when I took over," Dr Moore said. "I had stood in as a locum leading up to that, but since 1978 I operated the surgery alone."
He said he had enjoyed his time in practice, that ran in tandem with his role as clinical director of Whanganui Hospital's sexual health clinic - a position he has also held since 1978.