Today is my last day as a GP partner at Church Street Practice having first started here nearly 35 years ago. During that time I have worked with some wonderful colleagues and been inspired by many patients. Being a GP gives you a unique glimpse into how people live their lives and I have tried to learn from those insights both to improve my care of patients with similar problems and also to look at how I lead my own life. As I enter retirement and face getting older I remember a particular elderly woman who felt it was her job to tell me a joke at the end of each of her consultations to help me through my day. She sent me a photo of her maiden parachute jump on her 80th birthday! That zest for life and sense of fun and adventure was infectious and quite an example to try to follow!
I have been very touched by patients’ kind messages and gifts and I’m glad of the opportunity to express how much they mean to me. Thank you so much.
Joy Arthur
