Patients are a real tonic for long-serving GP

Dr Kate Buckley at Hopwood House

PRIDE IN OLDHAM

A POPULAR GP who has cared for four generations of the same family has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Dr Kate Buckley was reluctant to let her long-term contact with patients go after she stepped down as a partner in the practice at Hopwood House, Lees Road, Glodwick.

And at the age of 65, she still works one day a week — with no plans to retire.

Dr Buckley and the 20-strong team she works with, were nominated by aunt and niece Susan Broadhurst and Catherine Heywood.

They said she had looked after four generations of their family, adding: “She always takes the time to listen.”

When she heard of her nomination, an astounded Dr Buckley said she was amazed and proud, adding: “It’s a really nice thing to happen,”

She said: “I never left the practice — it was just my intention to cut down.

“I have a heart condition and I just don’t have the energy levels I used to have.

“I love the work, I love the people, and it’s lovely getting to know a whole family and seeing people have children, then their children have children, and their children have children, too.

“Medicine is the love of my life. It’s a challenge, you are always learning, and I love making people better and helping them.”

Dr Buckley explained: “Most of the drugs we use now weren’t here when I qualified, and you have to learn about them as you go along.

“I had some fabulous teachers in Dr Donald Moore and Dr Olgierd Rymaszewski, who have both died, and I work for a fabulous practice.”

Dr Buckley, who lives in Coppice with her husband, Chris, and has a daughter, Hazel, joined the practice when she was 27.

It was based at 28 Glodwick Road, which is across from Hopwood House, where it moved after a stint at Glodwick Health Centre.

The GP was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and when offered the job in Oldham came knowing nothing about the town, but with the good wishes of her boss in Manchester who told her: “You couldn’t ask for nicer people.”

Dr Buckley said: “He was absolutely right.

“The people of Oldham are fantastic — I have never looked back.”