Moerewa GP named best NZ rural doctor

A Far North GP who has dedicated his working life to improving the health of the people of Moerewa has been named New Zealand's top rural health professional.

Dr Graeme Fenton (Moerewa Medical Services) was awarded the 2013 Peter Snow Memorial Award at the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network's annual conference in Rotorua earlier this month, sharing the honour with New Zealand Institute of Rural Health chief executive Robin Steed (Hamilton).

Dr Fenton and Ms Steed were nominated under the innovation or service category, recognising their outstanding service to rural communities as well as their "endless enthusiasm and drive."

The judges said Dr Fenton had looked after generations of families since setting up Moerewa Medical Services in 1967. He served on the Regional Health Authority in 1997, was a director of the Institute of Rural Health from 2000-2001, established the Northern Rural General Practice Consortium and had chaired Te Tai Tokerau PHO board.

He had helped improve the after-hours service in the Mid North, and worked tirelessly in the background to improve access to health care for rural communities. He became a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners in September 2011.

Dr Fenton, who lives on a farm at Pakaraka, said he felt "humbled and proud" by the honour, albeit one that he saw as a reflection of the whole rural health sector working together and offering "tremendous support" to improve health in rural communities.

"You can do all sorts of great things, but unless you can bring people along with you and get their support, you won't succeed," he said.

The other vital ingredient was his wife Joan, added.

The Peter Snow Memorial Award was established to honour Tapanui GP Peter Snow, who died in March 2006. The inaugural recipient was Dr Ron Janes (Wairoa) in 2007.