Plaudits have been paid to a long-serving and well respected Bath GP who is retiring from his practice after 35 years as a family doctor in the city.
On Saturday 14th April, Dr James Playfair said farewell to staff and patients of St James’s Surgery, where he has worked since 1982.
Praise has been paid to the doctor, who was well respected in the local community.
Dr Ian Orpen, Clinical Chair of Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and one of James’s GP partners for the last 27 years, said: “There is a clear moral compass in James’s work, from the patient through to the organisation he works in and how it fits in to wider society.
“His style has always been understated, not about him as an individual but more about what is there to be achieved. It is not about grabbing the attention but more supporting others to deliver.
“He is an outstanding role model for many to aspire to.
“I count myself extremely fortunate to have worked alongside James and have learnt much from his approach, which has helped shape my own personal values and leadership role.”
For many years Dr Playfair has been closely involved with the Bath Abbey’s charitable works, and has played a leading role in Reaching the Unreached, an initiative which aims to help the poorest and most marginalised people, particularly children and women, living in rural villages in southern India.
Ian Brady, Chair of Reaching the Unreached, said: “James has made a remarkable contribution to helping thousands of the poorest and most deprived people in rural South India through his charity work with Reaching the Unreached.
“He has done this both on a practical level in India and as a Board member in the UK for the past 10 years.
“His efforts to support the charity’s work with some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in rural villages across southern India has been inspiring.”
The Reverend Prebendary Edward Mason, former Rector of Bath Abbey, said: “I can put hand on heart and say that James is known right across the city as someone who exemplifies what it means to be the very best in modest, moral leadership and someone who has enhanced the lives of countless people.”
James said: “From my time as a medical student in Whitechapel in London, working in Gay Street and St James’s Surgeries in Bath, to time spent in India, I have been both very fortunate and privileged.
“It is a great job being a GP, getting to know people and patients – many of them as friends. I have loved it and will miss the practice, all the staff and the patients.
“Bridget and I will stay in Bath. There is a lot going on at the Abbey – where I am one of the churchwardens – enough to keep me occupied.
“There will be more trips to Reaching the Unreached in India and then there is the garden, when there is time and the sun comes out!”
