Specialist Ilkley GP hangs up stethoscope after practising 25 years (From Ilkley Gazette)

Specialist Ilkley GP hangs up stethoscope after practising 25 years

1:00pm Monday 4th February 2013 in Local news By Amanda Greaves

A GP who has treated Ilkley patients for a quarter of a century and played a role in developing health services in the town will retire this week.

Dr Robin Poulier, 57, a partner at Ilkley Moor Medical Practice and founding member of the practice, is to retire tomorrow, 25 years to the day he arrived in Ilkley as a single-handed practitioner.

Sadly, he is retiring as a result of ill health caused by a chronic lung condition and the associated treatment.

Among his many roles, he worked as a clinical assistant at Marie Curie Hospice Ardenlea, on Queen’s Drive.

He was for many years a trainer for new GPs and worked as an examiner for the Royal College of General Practitioners as well as being awarded a Fellowship by the college, an award achieved by few.

Colleagues say while always striving to maintain the very personal doctor-patient relationship, he realised the benefits of a larger practice in delivering more specialised services within the community.

Dr Poulier became a specialist in diabetic care. Within Ilkley Moor Medical practice, based at the Springs Medical Centre, he oversaw IT matters, the practice finances, the running of the purpose-built premises and prescribing matters as well providing much clinical governance advice.

He has also been the prescribing lead for the local Primary Care Trust (PCT).

“It has been a pleasure to practise as a GP here in Ilkley, and hopefully to have played a significant part in the lives of many patients over the years and be part of the various changes over that time,” said Dr Poulier.

“I am sure that my GP colleagues and all the staff will continue to look after your health needs in the future.”

“And so, although it will be difficult for me to adjust to my new way of life, perhaps not that hard, I am sure I will develop new interests and have more time to spend with friends and family. I am sure that I shall bump into a lot of you around Ilkley now, not as your doctor but more as a friend.”

Executive partner at the practice, Dr Mark French, said: “Robin will be known to many in Ilkley as a caring, supportive and extremely competent GP with a great sense of humour appropriate to the situation.

“But he has been more than that, and many will be unaware of the considerable work and expertise he provided to enhance the health services within the Wharfe Valley.”