A “LARGER than life” doctor has said farewell to patients in Abingdon after 35 years working in the town.

Dr Frank Debney retired from Malthouse Surgery on Friday.

Known for wearing shorts during the summer, and dressing up as Father Christmas every year, surgery staff said he would be remembered for his love of the job and his sense of humour.

The 65-year-old took up his first job as a GP at the surgery in 1975, and has lived in Norman Avenue for 20 years with his wife Maggie.

Dr Debney said the NHS had changed “totally and completely out of all recognition” since he started work.

He said: “It’s not the same service as when I first joined, but change is inevitable. We’re all getting older, and as we get older, we need more assistance.

“When I first started, we didn’t do blood tests in the surgery and did very little nursing work. We now do our own tests and have nurses in the surgery.

“We also used to deliver babies at Abingdon Hospital and we could admit patients. It’s a shame. It was a privilege to help human beings into this world and a privilege to help them deal with pain and suffering.”

Dr Debney said he would miss his work – especially the patients.

He said: “It’s human beings. They’re fun most of the time, and when you make someone better they appreciate it.

“You get a kick from the diagnosis, and from the treatment and making them better. And that will never change.

“I’m probably more worldly-wise than when I first started. I always wanted to be able to contribute, and I think after 35 years I have.”

He said he picked up the habit of wearing shorts during the summer after working in New Zealand for six months in 1981.

He said: “I wore the shorts and knee-high socks until it got to the stage when it was quite an offence to me and the patients.”

Asked about his retirement plans, he said: “I have a number of interests and hobbies and I’m going to catch up with the things I haven’t had time to do in the past 35 years.”

Dr Hilary Hodgson, who has been at the surgery for 24 years, said Dr Debney was “larger than life”.

She added: “He has been a very good partner and the patients are very fond of him.

“After 35 years he has seen quite a lot of people’s lives – generations of the same family.”

Patient services manger Joanne Miller said: “He carries quite a large list of patients and they all absolutely adore him. He lived for the work that he did.

“His patients meant everything to him and he will miss them.”

bwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk