Dr Neil Jones receives a present from Douglas McKerlie, chairman of the Patients' Voice. Looking on are staff and patients at the Bradford Road Medical Centre in Trowbridge (17084)A DOCTOR retired this week after 35 years working as a GP in a west Wiltshire town. Dr Neil Jones retired on Wednesday after working at the Bradford Road Medical Centre, Trowbridge since 1970.

Colleague Diana Matthews said: "His firm belief that the patient deserves the best and his conscientiousness have earned him enormous respect from colleagues and patients alike. His accuracy in diagnosing is almost clairvoyant. Everyone at the Bradford Road Medical Centre, patients and staff, will miss him enormously."

Dr Jones trained at Guy's Hospital in London before moving to the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

In his time at Bradford Road he has witnessed many changes, as patient numbers have doubled to 10,000 and the original surgery has expanded to become a medical centre, offering services such as pharmacy, homeopathy and counselling.

He became a senior partner in 1985 and was one of the first doctors in Wiltshire to employ a practice nurse and a practice manager. He was also instrumental in the development of Trowbridge Maternity Unit.