A WELL respected GP will hang up his stethoscope for the last time when he retires from a Rubery practice next month.

Dr Ken Poyner, who served a four year stint as chairman of the Birmingham Local Medical Committee from 1990, will leave Leach Heath Medical Centre after 33 years of hard work and dedication at the end of July.

He started the practice, which originally stood in Leach Green Lane, in 1969 after returning from Cambridge University with a first class honours degree in Natural Sciences.

The King's Norton resident sings in the choir at St Mary's Church in Selly Oak, where he met his wife, Anna in 1969.

He settled back in the Midlands after working in London and served many satisfying years at the Leach Heath Medical Centre, now in Leach Heath Lane, while bringing up three children, James, Nicola and Martin.

"This is the best job in the world," he said. "You form relationships with people you get to know extremely well over the decades, building their confidence and trust, which is essential if you are to understand how to help them."

The sprightly doctor, fast approaching his 60th birthday, said he was sad to leave but was looking forward to spending more time with his wife and visiting his children.

He will also indulge in a spot of gardening and hiking in the countryside.

"I've known many of the staff here for over 25 years and they're worth their weight in platinum to me.

"I would say that it's the hallmark of a good practice to maintain so many staff over a long period of time," he added.

The retiring GP will join staff and former colleagues for a celebratory party at the practice at the end of this month.