Well-known GP Dr Maggie Eisner was retiring today after serving Shipley for 24 years.

Dr Eisner leaves Shipley Medical Practice as other staff prepare to move into a state-of-the-art health centre in Alexandra Road in October.

Health workers moved out of the old building in 2006, and have spent the last year working out of portable buildings on the swimming pool car park at St Paul's Road while the centre was demolished and replaced by a new building offering extra space and facilities.

Dr Eisner, 60, said: "Although I'm sad to be retiring from General Practice, I'm leaving the practice at a very exciting time. At last we're about to move into a state-of-the-art health centre with the resources and facilities that all our patients and staff deserve."

Dr Eisner took over the practice 24 years ago and has seen it grow from a single-handed practice into a thriving health centre with eight doctors, six nurses and nearly 20 reception and administration staff.

"I will really miss my colleagues at the practice as we have such quality and dedication across the whole staff team," said Dr Eisner.

"Everyone does their best for the patients as well as supporting each other, even when there is a lot of stress and pressure."

Throughout her career Dr Eisner has been driven by the right of every patient to the best quality health care and a belief in serving individual health needs, regardless of their social circumstances.

"This led to the practice undertaking pioneering work such as teenage health and drugs and alcohol work.

In the 1980s and 1990s Dr Eisner was influential in supporting the work of midwives in Bradford to ensure that, at a time of greater medicalisation of maternity service, women had access to a more low-tech' or home birth.

"I feel it is a privilege to be allowed to share in people's lives at important times, perhaps especially birth and death," said Dr Eisner.

"And I would also like to thank my patients for giving me support in my personal life over the years - often without knowing it. I have great confidence in the team I've worked with for so many years and in my recently-appointed colleagues.

"I'm sure the practice will continue to offer patients the best possible clinical care alongside the friendly personal approach that has been our shared aim at the practice."

Dr Eisner will continue her work as a programme director for a specialist training scheme for GPs in the Bradford district.

All patients, past and present, are invited to a tea party to be held at the Shipley Medical Centre on Thursday, August 9, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Anyone who wants to attend should call the practice on (01274) 531153.