A DEDICATED GP who has looked after the health and wellbeing of patients in Broadway for 34 years has hung up his stethoscope.

Dr Thomas Bloch retired from the Barn Close Surgery, where he has worked since August 1981, last week and was given a rousing send-off by patients and colleagues at the Broadway Hotel on Wednesday, April 29.

Dr Bloch was born in New York to Swiss parents and when he was 12 moved with his family to Basel, Switzerland, where he gained his medical qualifications. He took up the role at Barn Close after spending three years in Oxford carrying out his general practice training.

As well as his general practice Dr Bloch also worked with the obstetrics team as well as the minor injury unit and GP wards at Evesham Community Hospital during his career.

He has also been a regular contributor to a number of prestigious medical magazines and journals.

Reflecting on his career, Dr Bloch said much had changed over his 34 years in the town.

“General practice has changed out of all recognition,” he said. “We visit patients much less than we used to but we have much more effective drugs available to us.

“And much of what used to happen only in hospitals is now done in the surgery. “ He said one of the most significant changes had been advancements in technology.

“Only 34 years ago there were no computers, no CDs, no digital photography, no mobile phones – all things we couldn’t do without now,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the hundreds of colleagues he had worked alongside over his 34 years in the town.

“I have been fortunate indeed to have spent all that time supported by wonderful medical colleagues, a fantastic staff of receptionists, practice and district nurses, dispensers and managers,” he said.

“In retirement I look forward to connecting again with my hobbies of woodwork, painting and music which I have had to neglect these last years and to have time to spend with my grandchildren.”

A spokesman from the surgery’s Patient Participation Group paid tribute to the longserving GP, saying: “He will be missed for his huge contribution to the practice.”