East Sussex Doctor Honored as GP of the Year Before Retirement

An East Sussex physician has been designated GP of the year in anticipation of his retirement. Mark Gaffney holds positions as a senior partner and chairman at the Eastbourne-based Victoria Medical Centre (VMC). He also serves as the clinical director for the Victoria Primary Care Network within the same town. Throughout his 41-year professional tenure, Dr. Gaffney played an “instrumental” role in the creation of the out-of-hours GP service for the local community and initiated a “hospice at home” service, according to NHS Sussex. Dr. Gaffney, expressing surprise at the win, stated: “I am retiring at the end of the year, so winning this award marks the end of my career.” The physician was additionally among the key figures responsible for the consolidation of four surgeries, which led to the formation of the VMC. He further delayed his retirement to supervise the centre’s operations. Dr. Gaffney commented: “I wanted to build the VMC and leave it for the next generation.” He also conveyed that he was “very proud” of his quarter-century of service at a spinal injury and severe neuro-disability unit located in the county. Dr. Gaffney remarked that the award signified “the perfect time to go”.