Dear Sir,
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who passed on gifts, cards and, above all, best wishes to mark my retirement from Bewick Crescent surgery after 27 years.
It has been an honour to work at the practice caring for the wonderful people of Newton Aycliffe and Heighington during this time.
I qualified in Sheffield and spent my early medical years largely in the North before joining the practice as their first GP trainee in 1994, with Dr Gordon Ferguson mentoring me through those early years, becoming a partner in 1997 .
I will always be grateful to have worked in such a friendly, welcoming and supportive community, with such a dedicated and caring Primary Health care team, made up of medical, nursing and administrative staff.
I have always tried to look at the whole person rather than the condition that they seek help about – I believe that is the very essence of general practice. Caring for patients and their families at times of physical and mental distress is a privilege.
I would like to thank the patient participation group for their support for myself and the practice team.
The NHS has been going through a period of severe stress and change but I know that I leave the practice in excellent hands.
I am looking forward to spending more time with my family, nurturing my allotment and trying to improve my golf handicap!
I wish my former patients, partners and staff members the very best for the future
Dr Chris Stephenson