Foyleside Family Practice says farewell to Doctor and Sister Linton

A couple with over 60 years of medical expertise between them have bowed out from their professional roles in the city.
At the retirement dinner are Dr Finlay Linton and his wife Marie with  GP partners Dr A Orr, Dr P Burns and Dr P Leeson. INLS 08-702-CONAt the retirement dinner are Dr Finlay Linton and his wife Marie with  GP partners Dr A Orr, Dr P Burns and Dr P Leeson. INLS 08-702-CON
At the retirement dinner are Dr Finlay Linton and his wife Marie with GP partners Dr A Orr, Dr P Burns and Dr P Leeson. INLS 08-702-CON

Foyleside Family Practice has said goodbye to Dr Finlay Linton and his wife, practice nurse Sister Marie Linton, who are retiring.

Colleagues at the Bridge Street medical centre thanked the duo for their contribution over the decades.

“Sister Linton has been the practice nurse for around 30 years and has been invaluable to our practice. She has mothered our trainees and our staff and will be sadly missed by all our patients. She always had time to listen and talk to anybody with a problem,” they stated.

“She has not only been a fantastic practice nurse but also a true friend. She will be remembered for her professionalism and her friendly manner. We wish her all the best for her retirement.”

Dr Linton started serving the community at Foyleside Family Practice over 30 years ago. He began as a junior doctor to Dr Tom Craig and Dr Frank Howie, whom he had worked with in Newtownards.

The statement continued: “He came straight from his trainee post. He was a trainer for over 20 years and has guided many trainees over the years who are all now prominent and successful GPs and who all have very fond memories and funny stories to tell about him.

“Many patients have expressed regret at his retirement and have shared their fondest stories of him with us. The term most often used to refer to him has been ‘a true gentleman’.

“Foyleside Family Practice has always had a family feel to it. As partners we have always worked well together and have complemented each other well. Dr Linton has been our senior partner here for 10 years now and has been like a father at the head of the household doing everything from chores around the practice, dealing with difficult situations, supporting his staff and advising on clinical and personal dilemmas, drawing on his large wealth of experience at work and indeed in life.

“He and Sister Linton were seen as the parents of the practice and have taken many a trainee/med student/colleague under their wings.

“From all the staff and patients in Foyleside Family practice we wish you all the best in your retirement.”