A much loved doctor is stepping down after thirty years.

Dr Beverley Ingoldsby from Leatside surgery is retiring on Thursday, March 29, after nearly 30 years of work in Totnes.

She said it has been an “honour” to work in such a “wonderful” and “supportive town”. “As a family doctor, I’ve had the chance to get to know several generations of the many families and been privileged to share with them some of the most significant episodes of their lives” described Dr Ingoldsby.

“Over the years there have been some tears, but mainly laughs and a great deal of affection. For that I can never thank you all enough."

She joined the practice in December 1989, when she completed her first Christmas Day duty and camped out at the Old Cottage Hospital because her new home wasn’t ready.

With her husband Tom, they lived firstly in Copland Meadows and then four years later they moved to Weirfields, where they still live.

Beverley said there have been many changes since she came to the practice-such as the move from Fore Street to Leatside.

“When we first moved we didn’t know what to do with all the space. The first thing we had to do was name the place. One of our receptionists, Olive, won the in house competition with Leatside, beating out ’’The Race Course’’ at the post! 

“As Dylan and I sat in an almost deserted surgery last Friday with snow all around, we were remembering the last time we had similar conditions which was in 2011, when we were in portacabins  by the railway station” During this previous weather incident, Beverley described how the nurses had to escort patients from the waiting room in wellies, while carrying umbrellas.

“During that time I don’t think we had one complaint from the patients, who again joined in the ’Dunkirk spirit ’and supported us to the hilt” she added. 

“When I started, Dr Nikki Grant was already making great strides into supporting women’s health in the community and I joined her in the Family Planning and antenatal clinics.

“I also set up the child development clinics, which in their heyday incorporated  both  the health visitors and midwives, although sadly with changing times (and budgets) that’s no longer the case - at least we still get to see the health visitor regularly.

“When I leave, the wider practice team will be taking over with Dr. Jon Hossack doing the  baby checks and Doctors Abi Fearon and Jamilla Groves continuing a flourishing family planning service. 

Before Dr Ingoldsby moved to Totnes, she had grown up in Newton Abbot, Denbury and Torquay before studying at Sheffield University.

While completing her general practice training at Torbay Hospital and Buckfastleigh, Beverley heard about the vacant position in Totnes with the retirement of Dr Greig. 

“As far as retirement is concerned, originally it was planned that we would go back  immediately to my husband’s home country of Canada, especially as our daughter, Jessica 24, is already living there, having just completed a degree in philosophy in Southern Ontario.

“However, our son, Peter, has taken up rugby in a big way, currently at the Exeter chief’s academy and so we have to wait and see how that progresses over the next year or so before final decisions are taken on when to move.”

However, the first thing on the agenda for the community doctor is fulfilling a lifelong ambition to go on Safari to Botswana in April with her daughter.

“I wish all my patients, the partners and staff of Leatside a fond farewell and a happy and healthy life.”

Dr Dylan Watkins said: “Bev has been a constant stabilising presence and has made a huge difference improving the provision of health services for women and set up a structure for child health surveillance.

“Bev is loved by patients and staff alike and will be greatly missed day to day. We all wish her the best for her retirement.”