A surprise party was thrown to celebrate 40 years of NHS service for a doctor who has treated as many as four generations of some families.

Staff, friends and even retired GPs gathered last Friday, to celebrate the landmark with Doctor Hameed Khan who has worked at Loughton Health Centre for 37 years.

Dr Khan, who began working at the health centre in 1977 says that it was a complete surprise and an honour that so many people came out.
He said: “I enjoyed it terribly.

“I thought we were going out for a drink and they were all hiding in the back.

“It was tremendous that Dr Harrison came out, he is 90 years old now and was a senior partner when I began working at the surgery.

“I am so grateful to them for organising it for me.”

After qualifying in India Dr Khan came to the UK to practice medicine. He worked in hospitals in Nottinghamshire, Ramsgate and Margate before settling in Essex.

He said: “I was made aware of a practice in Epping Forest, I had never heard of Epping Forest before, but I have been here ever since.

“I have treated as many as four generations of some families now."

Sixty-five-year-old Dr Khan said that he has no idea how long he has left as a GP.

He said: “Medicine changes all the time and you have to keep up with it.

“My father was a doctor for sixty years. Who knows how long I will last.”