WHEN Dr Andrew Stainer-Smith retires as an Okehampton GP after 22 years next week, new challenges await him abroad.

The GP, who has always had a desire to help the sick in underdeveloped countries, intends to put his skills and experience into working for a charity abroad such as Unicef or Save the Children — that is after he has built himself a house in Sticklepath.

He leaves the practice with sadness after building up strong relationships with his 1,400 patients, but at 51, he feels it is time to move on.

'I originally came into practice in Okehampton on April Fool's Day 1980 which was much earlier than I intended,' said the Cornish-born doctor, who has a 21-year-old daughter, Rosalind, and a son David, 19.

'My plan was to go abroad first but in fact it is probably better this way around because my experience will make me more useful.'

As well as being a busy GP which in itself can call upon you to be a counsellor, priest and even entertainer, Dr Stainer-Smith has maintained his interest in hospital work, which is what he did before joining Okehampton Medical Centre. He is attached to departments of surgery at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he runs a clinic for people with sexual problems.

'I have really enjoyed general practice, especially the one-to-one aspect of it,' he said. 'It is a huge responsibility but also an amazing experience and it has been exciting, firstly to see the medical centre built in 1990 and now the new hospital and all the changes here. But I think it is now best left to younger doctors.'

The doctor has been keen to keep the issue of patient satisfaction at the forefront of decisions made at the health centre and has fostered links between health visitors and child services. He also also been closely involved with screening work for post-natal depression.

Overall, health services in the Okehampton area were good, said Dr Stainer-Smith. He praised the work of former practice manager Nigel Percival and current manager David Seward, who kept the medical centre running efficiently, and Jane Barr, locality manager for the town's hospitals.

'The practice is in very safe hands,' said Dr Stainer-Smith, who admits had he not taken the general practice route he would probably have become a pathologist.

'It has been a very difficult decision to leave and I am sorry I cannot finish many of the things the patients wanted me to.

'What I will miss most is the general public — the bedrock of Okehampton and I, unlike many other people who use it as a stop-gap, have been able to come to Okehampton and stay, and it has been a privilege.'

The doctor highlighted the development of mental health services including the 'superb' Redvers Unit in the town for the elderly and confused.

One of the doctor's fond memories is of delivering unexpected twins in the old delivery room under the stairs of the Okehampton District Hospital in his first year of practice.

He also remembers the health centre being closed on Wednesday afternoons because it was market day and all the staff wanted to go to the market so no-one was allowed to be ill that day!

'As a GP you get funny moments. I remember treating one child for an ear infection — the father phoned me in a panic because I prescribed antibiotics and he said he could not get the whole teaspoon of the stuff in her ear!'

A farewell reception will be held for Dr Stainer-Smith at Okehampton Medical Centre on January 11 from 6pm to 7.30pm. All his patients and medical staff are invited.

Dr Nick Woodall will take over from Dr Stainer-Smith on January 10.