After five decades in medicine, Dr Vaughan Leigh recently hung up his stethoscope for the last time, when he finished his final shift on Friday, 23 May 2025.

“I initially worked as a GP in Rotorua and then had 20 years in Tūrangi and Taihape where my focus was on long-term community health, rural hospital work, maternity care and trout fishing. From Taihape, we moved to Christchurch where some of our grandchildren are, and then in 2010, I started working two weeks on, one week off as a locum GP at Buller Medical Centre in Westport which in 2011 turned into a permanent position,” says Vaughan.

Over the past 14 years, Vaughan’s schedule has included long-term care at Buller Medical Centre on Tuesdays, vital outreach to Karamea Health Centre on Thursdays, and twice-weekly visits to Westport’s O’Conor Home, where hospital and dementia-level care is provided to around 70 residents.

“Working on the Coast offers lots of variety and opportunity to work in rural clinics alongside rural nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. There is also opportunity to provide both clinical care and leadership too.”

“On my last visit to Karamea, the health centre team hosted a farewell afternoon tea for me and around 60 people turned up to say goodbye. Sometimes you don’t realise the impact you have had on others but receiving heartfelt feedback from patients and colleagues about what your care meant to themwas humbling.”

Vaughan spoke proudly of O’Conor Home, describing it as a place full of colour, compassion, and meaningful work — a place where it truly takes a team to care for people at their most vulnerable.

“Being a GP has been rewarding – it’s a great job. Each day is different, but the one consistent factor is that at the end of each day, you know that you have usually helped someone, and in doing so you’d made a difference.”

Vaughan says he tried retirement for a year back in 2015 but ended up coming back to work. This time he is definitely retiring as he’s not planning to renew his registration which means he can now finish some building projects and spend more time with his family.

Dr Vaughan Leigh outside Westport’s O’Conor Home Dr Vaughan Leigh outside Westport’s O’Conor Home Dr Vaughan Leigh outside Westport’s O’Conor Home

Dr Vaughan Leigh outside Westport’s O’Conor Home