IT'S nearly party time for GP Shelagh FitzGibbon as she prepares to pack up her stethoscope after 33 years.

The well-respected doctor, who lives in Laverton, is retiring on May 1, but she's not going quietly.

Her patients at Barn Close Surgery, in Broadway, are planning a "bit of a do" for her at the Lifford Hall on April 30.

Shirley Stone, who is organising the event with Daphne Harris, said: "Dr FitzGibbon is a wonderful GP.

"She is absolutely marvellous in an emergency and has saved so many lives over the years. She is very understanding and caring, but not with time wasters."

Dr FitzGibbon originates from Bristol and qualified as a doctor in 1960. She worked in hospitals in Bristol and Plymouth before securing her first post as a GP in Broadway in 1968.

She also worked abroad with the Voluntary Service Overseas organisation.

Dr FitzGibbon said: "I have enjoyed working at Barn Close Surgery very much.

"It is very satisfying to think that I have brought children into the world who are now parents themselves.

"Dr Colin Houghton and Dr William Juckes set the emphasis on caring for families all those years ago and hopefully we have maintained their standards."

She added: "I will miss the people very much, but not the job. Things have changed so much.

"The workload has increased enormously with scarce resources and we cannot get around to see people the same as we did."

However she paid tribute to Evesham Community Hospital and its GP Unit. "It was one of the first things that attracted me to the job and the hospital's excellent facilities," she said.

All Dr FitzGibbons' patients are invited to attend her retirement party, however, to cover costs tickets are being sold at £3 each from Gallimorfrey, Jelfs newsagents and the post office - all in the High Street.