A long-serving Alston GP has retired after working at the heart of his community for almost 30 years.
At the age of 65, Alston Medical Practice’s longest serving staff member Dr Michael Hanley has hung up his stethoscope for the last time, having first treated Pennine patients in 1992.
From manning the minor injuries unit and running the community hospital to being first on the scene at crashes and lobbying to retain local services, Dr Hanley has embedded himself in the community, providing comprehensive care to Alston residents at all stages of life.
“It’s a bit strange alright,” Dr Hanley said about his retirement. “It’s nice not having to get up at quarter to seven every morning though.”
Until 2003, Dr Hanley, along with Dr Mills, would between them man the range of services involved with a hospital and minor injuries unit, also acting as de-facto unpaid paramedics.
This meant clocking up a staggering 140 hours on-call every other week.
What kept him going through this “full-on and tiring” time was the intellectual stimulation and interest in the variety of illnesses and injuries he dealt with.
“I just thoroughly enjoyed the job,” said Dr Hanley.
“I also enjoy the Alston people — they’re independent and are not afraid to speak their mind. Everyone always calls me Michael, not doctor. It was this spirit that was so important when fighting to retain local services.”
It was this struggle to keep a general hospital in Alston that saw Dr Hanley’s outspoken advocacy delay the inevitable closure for around a decade.
He said the hospital was so valued that after it closed, they had trouble getting patients’ consent to get admitted to wards in Carlisle.
His move to Alston in 1992 was quite a change for the Donegal-born doctor.
Having previously been in Bethnal Green, London, and not being exposed to the range of tasks involved in community medicine he said it was a steep learning curve particularly with suturing and setting casts.
This was particularly evident with his work with the local ambulance team. Prior to a centralised service the GPs and a group of mostly-mechanics were responsible for dealing with Alston emergencies. Dr Hanley set up a training scheme to give these volunteers proper medical instruction.
Effectively acting as an unpaid paramedic, Dr Hanley spoke of the many motorcycle accidents he attended on Alston’s busy network of scenic routes.
Although he added that these bikers were often more concerned with him not cutting their leathers than treating their injuries!
Tania Rymer, the practice manager and next longest-serving member of staff said: “He’ll be a big loss for the practice. He’s been a big part of the work behind the scenes retaining services over the years.
“Dr Hanley has strived in his role as GP and latterly as local parish councillor to ensure the health and wellbeing of our great community. I’ve loved working with him for the past 20 years and wish him all the best for the future.”
One of the greatest changes in his career was seen in the past year. With nurses and occupational therapists drafted in to Penrith he praised the practice, and in particular Tania, for the successful response to the pandemic.
After such a hectic professional life, the practice staff said there would be no chance of him putting his feet up. Instead, Dr Hanley has undertaken a windsurfing instructor course, rekindled his love for the saxophone by playing in a range of bands and even started to learn Japanese.
Dr Hanley added: “I’d like to say a big thanks to the people of Alston for making my professional life so enjoyable for so long.”
