A GP practice worker who has been helping patients and residents for decades is retiring after more than 30 years of dedicated service.

Joelle Carpenter is an incredibly familiar face at Fairbrook Medical Centre in Borehamwood and she had been a valued team member of the surgery.

Fairbrook says Joelle has made a "huge contribution" to the smooth running of the surgery, adding she will be "sorely missed" by all staff and patients alike.

As the surgery's medication clerk, Joelle has seen enormous changes during her tome.

Before that, Joelle worked at Boots in Shenley Road where she was promoted to work behind the prescription counter. Joelle stayed at Boots for 20 years before eyeing up a role she spotted in an advert for the new medical centre being built in Fairway Avenue.

When she first joined Fairbrook, Joelle relied on writing everything by hand because the surgery had no access to a computer.

Nowadays, thanks to modern technology, Joelle is able to action hundreds of requests each day from patients via an NHS app, helping direct them to pharmacies and other means of support.

Practice manager Michele Cain said: "Joelle has worked alongside 4 practice managers and countless GP’s and staff. She worked with our previous senior partners Dr Goddard, Dr Longbourn, Dr Hirsch and Dr Drake and now current senior partner Dr Page.

"Many laughs were had, and wonderful memories made. She is a massive part of our team, our Fairbrook family will miss her terribly.

"We know that many patients would have liked to have come in and said goodbye personally to this special lady, but the Covid Pandemic has made that difficult.

"We want to thank Joelle Carpenter for her 31 years of service, work and dedication to the NHS at Fairbrook Medical Centre, and 51 years of helping the public in Borehamwood."