Sam EmanuelPatients at a doctor's surgery will soon be bidding farewell to a popular and caring receptionist who sends out get well cards, goes to funerals and calls ex-patients' bereaved family members.Sam Emanuel

Patients at a doctor's surgery will soon be bidding farewell to a popular and caring receptionist who sends out get well cards, goes to funerals and calls ex-patients' bereaved family members.

Mary Wade, who will be retiring in July after 15 years at the Sprowston branch of the East Norwich Medical Group, has certainly proved herself to be a good neighbour and valued member of the community.

She is well-known by the branch's 8,000 patients for going the extra mile to ensure people get the best care possible.

She said: 'Patients like to speak to somebody who knows them, and if you are aware of people's individual situations you are a lot better placed to help them, as you know whether they have relatives, and whether they find it hard getting to appointments and so on.

'I do send get well cards and I have attended patients' funerals, and I make follow-up bereavement calls a few weeks after someone has died to see if there's anything we can do to help. It sounds corny but I really enjoy helping people.'

Her colleague Christine Brasnett added: 'Mary drops off prescriptions for people who live near her and has a wealth of knowledge of patients and their families and their problems.

'Patients who know her well will be saddened at her retirement because she always goes out of her way to help if she possibly can. To sum it all up, she cares. She is a people person, and is one of the few people who actually take time out to either sit or chat with patients.'

Mrs Wade, who lives in Lambert Road, Sprowston, is looking forward to spending time with her husband David once she has retired. She added: 'I've worked since I was 16, so it will be lovely to have some time to spend together. I've got a big garden so I'm hoping to be able to do more gardening too. I will miss the patients and my friends here dreadfully.'

But the 64-year-old is keen not to give up the job completely, and has offered to come back to cover holidays or sickness.

Do you know someone who goes the extra mile for people who could be featured in our Good Neighbour campaign? Call Sam Emanuel on 01603 772438 or email sam.emanuel@archant.co.uk.