Tony Townsend: 50 years as a GP

When Dr Tony Townsend began his career in medicine in 1969, being a general practitioner wasn't considered a specialty. That change would come two and a half decades later, in 1995, after much pushback from the medical profession. It's one of many changes Dr Townsend has seen over his 48 years as a GP in Rotorua. Not only has technology, the understanding of disease and the diagnostic process evolved, but also how doctors interact with patients. Dr Townsend became a Member of the Order of Merit for his services to health in 2015. He retired in Matakana in 2018, and speaks to Kathryn Ryan about his just-released a book, Not just a GP: More than just a memoir.