Your trusted family doctor since 1932

City GPs has a rich history, spanning over 85 years in Wellington and is a Cornestone Accredited Practice, meeting the highest standards set by the RNZCGP.

A brief history

City GPs Ltd has evolved from a medical practice started in 1932 in lower Boulcott St by Mr Roland O'Regan, an eminent Wellington Surgeon, in what is now the 'Dominion Post' building.

Many well known, sometimes eminent, doctors worked in the practice in its early days: Dr Erin Griffin (GP and Anaesthetist), Dr Richard Climie (GP and Anaesthetist), Dr Pat Skinner (GP), Dr Jack McCreanor (Physician) and Dr Keith Humphries (GP).

Dr Haydon Gray (GP and Anaesthetist), joined in 1956 as a locum first for Dr Griffin and then for Dr Climie while they furthered their studies in the USA. In 1959 the Practice moved to the first floor of Invincible House on the corner of Willis and Dixon Sts

Dr Gray and Dr Wally Metcalf (partner from 1976 to 2001) became renowned for their large obstetrics practices. Dr Gray started the Epidural Anaesthesia service in Wellington. Dr Lesley Rothwell joined to bolster the GP side of the practice in 1978. In 1979 Dr Gray retired from obstetrics to concentrate on obstetric anaesthesia and Dr Chris Kalderimis joined as a GP Obstetrician.

Patient numbers grew to outstrip the available facilities and in 1985 a decision was taken to move to our current purpose built rooms.  Dr Tim Cookson GP Obstetrician joined in 1987 and from that time City GPs Ltd has been a five full-time equivalent partner practice.

In 1989 Dr Sarah Sawrey joined, job-sharing with Dr Rothwell. Dr Brian King (1990 to 2001) took over from Dr Gray with this partnership passing to Dr Clare O’Brien in 2001 when Dr King retired from medicine.

Dr Metcalf opted to return to rural general practice in 2001.  This partnership was taken over by Dr Michael Naue and his wife Dr Ponniah, and subsequently by Dr Tony McNaughton when Dr Naue and Dr Ponniah moved to Australia in 2010.

In 2014 Dr Kalderimis retired from City GPs Ltd and his practice was taken over by Dr Tim McLeod. 

April 2017 saw City GPs become City GPs Ltd as it went from a Group Practice to a Limited Company.

In October 2018 Dr Tim Cookson sold his practice to Dr Tony Jenks to concentrate on his work with the Medical Protection Society.

December 2020 saw quite a change for City GPs Ltd when our long standing Dr Lesley Rothwell retired and sold her shares to Dr Javier Stroud, and Dr Tony McNaughton sold his shares to Dr Monika Vieregg who had been working at the practice as an Associate for the last nearly 3 years.

More changes occurred in 2023 with two of our long standing doctors retiring in March.  Dr Clare O'Brien and Dr Sarah Sawrey both left - although Sarah kindly stayed on for a couple of months to help out in the transition period.  Dr Javier Stroud took over Dr Sarah Sawrey's practice.  

Meet the team

 

Cornerstone accreditation

We are a Cornerstone Accredited Practice.  This tells you we meet the high standards set by the Royal New Zealand College of General Pracititioners (RNZCGP).   

City GPs Ltd attained Cornerstone Accreditation in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

 The RNZCGP standards for General Practice covers:

  • Needs and rights of patients
  • Accessibility and availability of practice services
  • Safety of practice systems and facilities
  • Medical equipment and resources
  • Comprehensive, coordinated, continuity of care
  • Disease prevention and health promotion
  • Practice and patient information and management
  • Continuous quality improvement and professional development