A CHESTER doctor is bidding a fond farewell to the practice he has worked at for 35 years.

Dr Paul Dennitts, of Handbridge, has worked at The Boughton Health Centre on Hoole Lane for 35 years and last month said farewell to his patients, colleagues and friends.

Dr Dennitts joined the practice after completing his medical degree at Sheffield University in 1977. He started at the old practice on Sandown Terrace before moving to the purpose built building the surgery occupies today. When he started there were just three partners, one practice nurse, three members of staff and 3,500 patients – now there are 6 partners, seven nurses, 21 members of staff and 11,400 patients.

During his time at the practice Dr Dennitts moved up the ranks from partner, to executive partner, then managing partner and was senior partner for 15 years.

He was then secretary of the of the LMC council management committee, which is the body responsible for GPs in Wrexham and Chester.

He was chairman of the Chester, and North Wales medical society in 2003.

For the last four years he has been chairman of the Western Cheshire Health consortium, which makes up the 38 practices in Chester and Ellesmere Port area.

Managing partner Philip Smith said: “He has played a very important role not just within this practice, but in the health community of this area. He has treated thousands of patients and generations of families in the community, who I know think of him very fondly.

Dr Dennitts says he has seen the profession change dramatically during his time as a GP, but insists it has all been for the better.

He said he has treated several generations of the same family

“On my last day a family came into see me. I had treated the mother the daughter and also her daughter, I also worked out I had treated the mother’s mother in the last years of her life.

“It is sad that I am saying goodbye and I will very much miss it all, but I have been planning this for a couple of years and I will keep in touch with everybody”

Dr Dennitts plans to spend his retirement taking short holidays abroad, spending time with his four children and his wife and enjoying his garden.

The practice held a special lunch and a retirement dinner whereby past partners, staff members and friends said farewell,

Dr Dennitts is being replaced by a new partner, Dr James Davies.