An Ely surgery will bid a fond farewell today to three members of staff who have amassed 112 years of combined service between them.

Dr Katrina Young is hanging up her stethoscope and will be retiring after 31 years at St Mary’s Surgery.

She joined the surgery in July 1993 having completed her medical training in London and Cheltenham.

Dr Young joined the surgery as a partner at St Mary’s where she joined the existing partners, Drs Woods, Shackleton, Douglas, Crawford, McCormack, Mee and Stewart.

She practiced on a full-time basis for the vast majority of her time at St Mary’s and had a particular interest in women’s health along with numerous other clinical areas.

Her mentorship of the nursing team was pivotal to the development and growth of nursing at St Mary’s which has now expanded to over 20 staff.

Taking on the role of senior partner, Dr Young initiated initiated the surgery's response to the Covid pandemic and was awarded a Cambridge and Peterborough Covid Community Champion Award by Lucy Frazer MP in 2022.

Moira Wiltshire is the longest serving member of staff at St Mary’s, having joined the team in May 1980, when the surgery was still located on Chapel Street.

She began her career working on the reception desk, when appointments were recorded in writing in the surgery's ‘appointment book’ before the advent of more complex IT systems.

As her career developed, Moira specialised in administration and her wisdom has been a valuable source of support for all colleagues both clinical and administrative.

Moira is incredibly valued in the surgery, and she continues to receive gifts and well wishes from colleagues past and present who appreciate her assistance. 

Nicola Rands joined Moira in the reception team when she began to work at the surgery in November 1987.

Nicola also worked at Chapel Street prior to the surgery's relocation to St Mary’s Street in the early 1990s.

Always with a smile, she has provided valuable guidance and assistance to a variety of staff within the surgery, making a lasting impression on colleagues and patients alike.

Like Moira, Nicola continues to receive gifts from numerous departed colleagues, a testament to how popular and well liked she is.

The entire team at St Mary’s and the wider patient population in Ely and beyond wish Katrina, Moira and Nic all the very best in their respective next ventures and thank them all for being such wonderful colleagues to work alongside.

Such service and loyalty to one organisation is increasingly rare and this length of service is a testament to all 3 ladies, who have given so much to the surgery over the years.