Brenda Goodes, who was born in Colchester and has lived in Ross-on-Wye since the 1970s, walked out of Alton Street Surgery for the final time on Wednesday, June 26th, after working there for nearly 42 years.

She joined the surgery at 18-years-old, and describes her time working there as a ‘whole lifetime’ where every day is different. In her time, Brenda has seen many doctors and patients come and go, and has worked with four practice managers. She told the Ross Gazette: “Working in the same place for over 40 years is unique. The time has come for a new chapter in my life.”

Starting in 1977, Brenda recalled initially working at New House Surgery in Alton Street, where only a couple of doctors worked, and the consulting rooms were in the doctors’ living rooms. Later, the practice moved to Chepstow House, which is now a residential home, before Brenda, three doctors, and the rest of the small team settled at Alton Street Surgery in the late 1990s. Brenda told the Ross Gazette that they moved because of the lack of space; the surgery was expanding and steadily had more and more patients.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes, Brenda recalled, was the introduction of computers.

Since Brenda began, there has also been a steady move to community based health care, with many treatments moving away from being specialist to GP led. Technology has changed a lot, with increasing use of telephone consultations, and patients being able to book appointments and request medication online.

The surgery have access to far more investigations such as CT and MRI scans. Doctor Simon Lennane, who told the Ross Gazette that the NHS has changed hugely since Brenda started, said: “Brenda has been a stalwart of the practice all this time, keeping things running, ensuring smooth communication with patients and the hospital, and on behalf of the surgery and all our patients, we wish her all the best for a happy and well-earned retirement.”

Brenda is looking forward to spending more time doing the things she loves, including yoga, travelling, dancing and walking. She hopes to explore new kinds of dance, like ballet, and visit one of her favourite places - Santorini - again soon.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here