GP bids a fond farewell

Vidya Dhanawade

A RESPECTED GP is hanging up her stethoscope after more than 30 years in Royton.

Vidya Dhanawade has become a firm friend of many a Roytoner during her 34 years at the helm, and says she has enjoyed every minute of it.

Dr Dhanawade first came to Royton with her husband, Sudhakar, in 1974, where they set up a surgery in the unlikely surroundings of an old fish shop at 52 Oldham Road.

Soon after, the husband and wife team moved to the Royton health centre, where they stayed for 10 years before setting up their own practice, the Royton Medical Centre, in Market Square.

Sudhakar (71) recently retired, but Vidya (67) continued to practice until health problems related to a slipped disc forced her to reluctantly give up.

She said: “I have absolutely loved my years working as a GP in Royton and will miss my patients a great deal, but my consultant has told me that being at my desk in a sitting position all day is making my back worse, so I have to finish.

“The people I treated were much more than patients to me, they were like my family. I got very close to them and even attended funerals with them. I will miss them all a great deal and would like to thank them for giving me such a fulfilling career and for ensuring that I loved every minute of working with them in Royton.”

But energetic Vidya will not be giving up medicine entirely — she is hoping to use her expertise to highlight health issues within Oldham’s Asian community by giving talks across the borough.