JUNE will see the end of an era in Dromara when well-known GP, Dr. Helen Kirkpatrick, retires after 45 years in practice.

To mark the occasion the Dromara Surgery Patients' Benevolent Fund is organising an event in honour of the popular doctor.

The event will take place in Second Dromara Presbyterian Church Hall.

Dr. Kirkpatrick graduated in 1962 and began practising alongside her father, also Dr. Kirkpatrick, at Anahilt.

To avoid confusion, the senior of the two doctors was always referred to as Dr. Kirkpatrick, while patients took to calling his daughter simply Dr. Helen..

Early in her career Dr. Helen also helped out doctors in Dromara.

When her father died she then went into practice in the village alongside Dr. W. F. McBride and Dr. Michael McBride.

That was the beginning of the Dromara Surgery as it exists today.

A spokesperson for the Patients' Benevolent Fund said, "Dr. Helen is a highly respected and much loved local doctor and she will be much missed at the surgery."

The event in honour of Dr. Helen takes place on June 21, from 8pm.