We all need one, most of us have had the same one for years, they know our most personal details, and are trained to care for us.

Who are these mysterious superheroes? They’re your GPs.

This Sunday [19 May] is World Family Doctor Day, a day to celebrate and acknowledge what your family doctor, your GP, does for you and your loved ones. 

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners trains GPs and has more than 5,000 GPs as members. College President Dr Samantha Murton is keen to make sure GPs get a well-deserved pat on the back this week, saying GPs are at the heart of medicine.

“Being a GP is such a rewarding job,” says Dr Murton. “GPs walk alongside patients at every step of their journey – caring for them for the whole of their lives. It is a privileged position.

“I love being a GP because it allows me to help people. I know this is something that drives our members and I often hear stories about amazing GPs going to extraordinary lengths to help their patients.

“It’s always an extremely busy job. We have a lot to do in every 15 minute appointment, and you never quite know what issue you’ll see next - there is no such thing as a typical day. What’s more, we have to bring our A-game every single day, because good health is so fundamental and important.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you do, you need your health and you need a GP. Even if you don’t visit one often, it’s likely your parents, or children, or friends do – and you want them to get the best care possible.

“This weekend we’re celebrating the contribution our GPs make to the New Zealand health system and the millions of people who are our patients. We’d love Kiwis to get behind us and share their positive GP experience on our Facebook page or by emailing communications@rnzcgp.or.nz.”