A RETIRING doctor has been given a grand send off by medical staff after 21 years at a surgery.

Dr Mohammad Abul Quasem, 65, of the Stanley Health Centre in Stanley, moved to Derwentside in February 1982.

He first worked as a medical registrar in Wanstead Hospital in London before being registrar in radiology at Leicester Royal Infirmary for two years, followed by a year in Leicester General Hospital. He then trained as GP in London for a year.

Dr Quasem said: "I have enjoyed working in Derwentside. It has been a welcoming and friendly community."

Dr Quasem, who has had to deal with the effects of deprivation, said one of his priorities was to impress on patients the dangers of smoking.

"I always tried to bring home the dangers of smoking," he said. "Many people suffered from diseases associated with coal mining such as pneumoconiosis, but those who did not smoke are still alive.

"In many cases I was lucky enough to diagnose cancer early enough to help save patients' lives."

The practice's remaining partners Dr Mohammad Masudur Rahman and Dr Ahmed Rushdi Hijab are still looking for another partner to join their practice.