I feel quite emotional just writing the title. But I shall keep this very brief.
I started at DHC on April fools day 1990. 34 years ago. I know! Can you believe it? My last day at Datchet was the 29th August 2024.
Straight in at aged 28 as a newly married GP Partner. Dr Parry-Williams, Dr Dalton, Dr Sue Barnes and me. I've lived in Datchet ever since. Raised my family here. I've been welcomed in and I have become part of this community.
Back in 1990 we had one afternoon off a week, mine was Wednesday. Twelve hour days. We did Saturday morning surgery and covered the night calls every third night and weekend.
The work life balance really wasn't great. But the vocation, the desire to integrate into one community, to be a part of people's lives was so strong and ultimately so rewarding.
To see mums have babies, and see the kids grow to have their own families. To be there in the happiest and saddest of family times was rewarding, stimulating, challenging, and an honour.
In brief I have loved being a part of Datchet Health Centre. The practice has grown during my time, nearly doubling in size. The buildings have undergone two major rebuilds, trebling the facilities available.
You all know that General Practice has changed. It's inevitable in a third of a century! I am sad to be leaving. I still really enjoy the patient contact and the camaraderie of the surgery. But I guess it's right that at some point I needed a gentle nudge to move myself forward.
And obviously the new partnership needs to shape the way the service runs so it remains a great effective part of our villages lives.
I remain local and will advocate for the best medical services for us all as loudly as I can, without becoming a pain in the arse.
Many people have asked me if I will be able to see them now as their GP. I do hope that I shall be asked to locum at Datchet on occasion. But I guess the answer in reality, is no.
You are in safe hands. Dr Asif Ali and his partners are dedicated to maintaining the practice and I am confident they will continue to offer great services.
They will continue to practice from the Health Centre, and Datchet provides an enormous opportunity for them to grow local services for our villages and potentially a bigger area. There are few medical sites with such potential in Berkshire, and with the support of Datchet Parish Council I am certain the next few years will see expansion and improvement.
But my reason for writing anything at this time is simply to say thanks to everyone who has made my career at Datchet such a joy, both patients and staff. And I will see you in Tescos, or the pub, or on the rec as I walk my dog.
I'm going to go on loving life and I have a great deal still to do.
My other blog posts are much less depressing than this, feel free to read them here on NHSontheRun.com
Thank you all.
Dr Mick Watts
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