A POPULAR Tottington GP is hanging up her stethoscope after 31 years of caring for patients in the town.

Dr Carol Cornmell was born in Liverpool and went on to study at Manchester Medical School, where she qualified from in 1983.

She began working as a GP at Tottington Medical Practice, in Market Street, in 1987, and has remained there ever since, caring for hundreds of patients and witnessing generations of families grow up before her eyes.

However, the mother-of-two will wave an emotional farewell to patients when she retires on Friday.

Dr Cornmell, aged 58, who lives in Harwood, in Bolton, has been holding a number of drop-in sessions at the surgery over the past week in order to say goodbye to staff and patients.

And a message book has also been placed in the surgery’s waiting area for any patients wishing to leave a goodbye message

A buffet lunch has been organised for Friday, at which Dr Cornmell will say goodbye to other staff members.

Ahead of her impending retirement, she said: “It has been a difficult decision and I am really going to miss seeing patients and working with such a fantastic team.

“Everyone here is so committed to providing such great care.

“I also want to say thank you to all of my patients. It has been quite overwhelming with all of the wonderful messages and cards that everyone has sent.”

Messages of appreciation also flowed in from patients after the news of Dr Cornmell’s retirement was announced on Tottington Medical Practice’s Facebook page.

One said: “Amazing doctor! Will be truly missed! Thank you for everything Dr Cornmell! Enjoy your retirement.

Another added: “Fabulous Dr and lady, gave me the loveliest cuddle last week, and we had a good giggle too, she will be missed by many, but wish her all the very best for a long and happy retirement.”

Although she will no longer be practicing as a GP, Dr Cornmell says she hopes to continue to deliver sessions on women’s sexual reproductive health, in which she has a special interest, for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.

For more information on drop-in sessions to say goodbye to Dr Cornmell, visit www.tottingtonmp.nhs.uk.