Rousing send-off for retiring doctor (From Cotswold Journal)

Rousing send-off for retiring doctor

8:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News

A LONG-serving Moreton doctor has said a fond farewell to patients at a party to celebrate her retirement.

Jill Barling, who was senior partner at Mann Cottage Surgery, Oxford Street, retired in June after serving the community for three decades.

The 65-year-old, who lives in Paxford, started her career in anaesthetics at Cheltenham General Hospital before moving to a surgery in the town as a junior doctor.

After having children, she worked in family planning clinics in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire for five years before finally settling at the surgery in Moreton in 1982.

She enjoyed a rousing send-off at the Redesdale Hall last Wednesday with more than 250 patients, residents and former colleagues who showered her with gifts and kind words.

“I’m really very grateful to my patients,” she said.

“They gave me so many things. They’ve been so kind.

“I was very grateful for the very kind words from Dr Reekey too.”

Mrs Barling said: “They were a fantastic group of patients. There were a lot of elderly people – I got to know them very well. I really miss them now.

“Watching the young grow up and have children and getting to know whole families has been amazing.”