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 after working as radiologist at Leicester General Hospital.
He said: "I have enjoyed working here. It has been a welcoming and friendly community."
Dr Quasem said one of his priorities was to impress on people the dangers of smoking.
He said: "I always tried to bring the dangers of smoking home.
"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' live."
The practice's remaining partners Dr Mohammad Masudur Rahman and Dr Ahmed Rushdi Hijab are looking for another partner to join their practice.
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