Joan Hutton is standing down after 45 years of loyal service at the Glenwood medical practice located in the town of Glenroth, in east-central Scotland.
The receptionist started more than 45-and-a-half years ago at the practice, while still a young mother of two children, Carol and Mel.
The health centre, which was first located in Waverley Drive, was moved to Napier Road in 1974, only a few yards away from its previous location, with Joan and her colleagues.
‘The face of the practice’
Throughout the years, Joan has had quite a strong impact on the GP surgery.
‘She was the face of Glenwood medical practice. She was well-known and patients have grown up with her,’ said Judith Syme, Glenwood practice manager, to Management in Practice, who has worked with Joan over the past 10 years.
‘Lots of our staff has been working here for years. When patients come, they recognise their faces or their voices on the phone. Our employees have always been loyal and friendly and Joan was no exception,’ she added.
This week, Joan’s fellow colleagues organised a farewell lunch to show their deep affection and gratitude towards her.
GPs and the rest of the staff also gave her a bouquet of flowers and various gifts to mark her well-deserved departure.
Joan, who has been the longest-serving employee of the practice so far, can now enjoy a merited retirement. She has yet to be replaced and will surely be missed.
