A RESPECTED Burnham doctor has retired after treating patients in the town for more than 35 years.

Present and past doctors at the Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre attended the retirement party on Saturday for Dr Harvey Sampson, who had worked as a GP at the practice since 1979.

Friends and colleagues presented the former captain of Burnham and Berrow golf club with a new set of clubs and a set of monogrammed golf balls as a leaving present.

Dr Sampson played a pivotal part in developing Berrow Health Campus, which opened in 2011.

He said he had enjoyed his time as a GP in Burnham both in treating and caring for patients as well as having the role of a business leader among the doctors.

Through the practice website he said: “I would like to say how much I have valued the opportunity to care for the patients in Burnham.

“Being a GP is a challenging yet hugely rewarding role,” he added.

“I would like to thank you all for bestowing your trust in me, and finally it has been an honour to have worked alongside you all for the last 33 years.”

Although Doctor Sampson is leaving the practice, he will be remaining an active GP.

And he had one last word for his former patients and colleagues: “A bit like Mr Schwarzenegger, I will be back... In the summer, working as a locum GP!”

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: