Dr McGinity says farewell
• Doctor Paul McGinity and his wife Anne say farewell outside their Scottsdale Surgery.
By Taylor Clyne
November 06, 2019
Closing the chapter on a superb medical career spanning more than 43 years in the North-East and 60 years in total Dr Paul McGinity says he will miss his patients and the daily conversations the most.
After watching more than three generations of families grow up in the region, the decision to retire wasn’t an easy one.
Dr McGinity immigrated from England in February 1977 with his wife Anne and children after working as a GP in the midlands of UK.
“We came to Scottsdale directly from England, blindfolded,” Dr McGinity laughed.
“I started working in this building in this room.
“In those days I was fortunate enough to have two colleagues who were both anaesthetists. “We had a very big service at the Scottsdale Hospital delivering about 100 babies a year and conducting more than 100 operations a year.”
“The most babies I delivered in one week was nine, it was very busy.”
Back then doctors were ‘first responders’ to suffering patients alongside hospital volunteers.
“There were no paramedics, as doctors we frequently had to treat patients all the way to Launceston. I worked on a one two roster and was on call every other night for surgeries or babies. It made our lives very interesting.”
There’s no denying the couple had ambition. At peak operation the McGinity’s were running three surgeries, one in Derby, Bridport and Scottsdale while managing four children and their marriage at home.
“I didn’t work in the practice to start with, I was a nurse back in England before becoming a mother. I taught myself how to practise manage, you do it by trial and error. “I loved it, it was very interesting,” Anne said.
“It was good because we worked together, and I understood the late nights.
“We ran Derby for 24 years and Bridport for 35 years. The Bridport surgery used to be where the fire station is.”
Dr McGinity said the thing that made Scottsdale different was the fact they had anaesthetists.
“Without them we couldn’t do anything.”
Reflecting on how the industry has changed Dr McGinity said he far preferred the old days, working in the field and at the hospital.
“Things have changed because medicine has changed. Back in the 80s we would do appendectomies and smaller operations all the time.
“There is nothing to attract you in general practice anymore, it’s all office work now.”
Of the many highlights Dr McGinity said his time working as the medical superintendent on the hospital board for ten years was up there with the best.
“We got lots of things done, things like modernising technology and equipment in the hospital. I certainly enjoyed those years.”
And of course, with all the good times there were certainly hardships.
In 2009 a lawsuit was brought forward to close his practice down.
“The community really rallied behind us there, we couldn’t believe it. It was a pretty tough time, but the community kept us going and we won.”
Of all the memories Dr McGinity said he hasn’t ruled out writing a book.
“I’ll need something to do in my spare time,” he chuckled.
“We’re talking about going back 43 years here in Scottsdale and there are lots of stories to tell. “One I can remember is about a dog on a Saturday afternoon on a hot summers’ day.
“There were no vets in town and this dog got a lamb chop caught in its throat, so they brought it up to the hospital and we anaesthetised it, extracted the lamb chop and saved the dog. Stories like those,” he said.
Looking to the future the McGinitys hope that more doctors will come to Scottsdale and make it their home.
“I have not been able to find a doctor to take over the business after searching for more than a year, and therefore I am grateful to Ochre Scottsdale who are willing to take over my practice.
“All I can say is I hope that more doctors come to Scottsdale to make it their home and to practise. Certainly the scene has changed a lot, especially with Derby its great a development. “And I think Bridport is going to outstrip Scottsdale the way it’s going too.
“I mean all of these things have to be considered, so I hope that the Scottsdale Hospital will revitalise itself to tend to the population.”
Dr McGinity’s last surgery day at the Scottsdale and Bridport Medical Centres will be held on Saturday December 21.
“We’d like to thank the community for supporting us and our wonderful staff for their loyalty over many years. We will miss you.”
The couple plan to ease into their well-deserved retirement spending time with grandchildren, travelling and no doubt enjoying a spot of whiskey.
