TRIBUTES have been paid to a GP who has retired after more than 40 years caring for patients.

Dr Jon Evans has stood down from Blandford Practice and said he had been ‘fortunate to be a Dorset GP’.

Having trained at King’s College Hospital in London, where he qualified in 1976, Jon went onto Guy’s Hospital and trained as an anaesthetist.

He continued his training as a GP at the Edenbridge Practice in Kent, where he married his wife Ruth at Hever Castle.

He further extended his training moving to Shoreham Hospital in West Sussex, before being offered a job as a GP/anaesthetist in Canada.

However, after a visit to Dorset, more particularly Blandford Forum, he received a telephone call from Dr Ian Wilson, the then senior partner of The Blandford Group Practice, to offer him a partnership as a GP/anaesthetist, an unusual job combination at that time.

Both he and Ruth felt this was an offer not to be missed.

Jon continued to expand his role, qualifying in Aviation Medicine, learning to fly at the same time.

He regularly worked as an anaesthetist at Blandford Hospital where he was also able to provide minor surgery clinics.

Rugby featured heavily and after hanging up his boots, Jon became medical officer of Dorset & Wiltshire RFC.

Jon was elected a member Dorset Local Medical Committee, later becoming chair until recently, then chair of Wessex LMC Secretariat.

“I have been very fortunate to be a Dorset GP. I will miss my patients and their families greatly. They have become a part of my life,” he said.

“I have been particularly blessed working with such good colleagues and fabulously supportive staff, indeed this includes the whole of the wider NHS team.”

Practice manager, Natalie McPherson, said: “Jon has shown a huge commitment and dedication over the years to both the staff here and the people of Blandford and will be sorely missed by everyone; and while we are genuinely sorry to see him go, we wish him all the best for his retirement.”