THE waiting room at Royal Manor Health Care, (RMHC), Easton Health Centre was packed with patients, not waiting to consult a doctor but to show their high regard and esteem for Dr Mark Townsend on his retirement.

Dr Townsend, 58, studied medicine in Bristol before setting off on Hospital House jobs, including a spell at the old Dorset County Hospital and GP rotation while looking for the opportunity to join a GP practice.

This led him to Portland where he has now served the people with care, skill and enthusiam for more than 30 years. He said: “I have been at the same desk for more than 30 years and among the statistics I see that I have held over 210,000 consultations.

“While I have been looking forward to retiring from the stressful things of being a GP, as today approached I began to realise what I will miss and told myself reasons to stay.”

Most people present, colleagues, former and present staff and patients all wanted to say how much his skills, advice and caring attitude had helped them over the years.

A special tribute was paid by RMHC senior partner Dr Paul Mason.

He said: “It has always been very clear that patient care has been your top priority and this is very evident in the feelings of patients here today.

“I have always been very impressed with your medical knowledge and your excellent memory regarding the latest management of a condition.”

He added: “Supported by practice admin staff you have led with this work which is so vital to providing the high quality of care we aspire to.”

Among the gifts presented to him. Dr Townsend received a cheque contributed to jointly by colleagues, medical and admin staff and patients.

He spoke of the many changes over the years and particularly in medicine saying: “We are now in a brave new world of GP commissioning and general practice is a people business.

“I have made many good friends among the islanders. It has been a privilege sharing their times of happiness and sorrow – but that’s medicine.”