A POPULAR doctor in Salisbury has retired after 23 years at Bemerton Heath Surgery.

Dr Christine Baker, who trained at the London Hospital, moved to Salisbury in 1984 to do her General Practice training, qualifying as a GP in 1987.

She then did five years of locums in the Salisbury area before becoming a partner in the practice in 1992.

Last Wednesday, patients, friends and colleagues held a farewell party for Dr Baker at the practice.

Lynsey Broomfield-Charleson said Dr Baker had looked after five generations of her family from her youngest, three-year-old Freddie to Freddie’s great-great-granny.

She said: “Dr Baker is a wonderful lady and my son, Freddie, was so upset that she was leaving.”

“She is just so kind and compassionate, she genuinely seems to care and we will miss her greatly.”

Dr Baker said: “I have really enjoyed working at Bemerton Heath.”

“The patients have always been honest and straightforward with me. It has been a great privilege to look after them and for them to trust me.”

“The surgery has been able to maintain a family feel because it is quite small and in one area.

“General practice is very much a team effort and I will miss working with such an amazing team.”

Dr Baker says she now plans to completely retire from medicine.

“I will have a rest and enjoy ordinary life without the work,” she added.

The surgery in Bemerton Heath was started in 1987 by Dr Dougal Jeffries and merged with Salisbury Medical Practice last year.