Colleagues bid a farewell to Elaine Allison who retired from her position as health visitor in May after 36 years service.

Elaine, who was based at the Alison Lea Medical Centre in East Kilbride, trained as a nurse at Hairmyres Hospital and after qualifying became a staff nurse within the acute medical ward.

In 1983 Elaine moved to Rutherglen Maternity Hospital where she underwent her midwifery training for a period of four years.  She thereafter transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where she worked again within the acute medical ward.

In 1988 Elaine returned to Hairmyres Hospital as a staff nurse within the gynaecology department before joining the school nurse team at the Robert Owen Centre in 1993.

In 1996 Elaine decided to study for her BSc in Health Studies and attended Glasgow Caldedonian University where she qualified a year later.

In 1997 Elaine became a health visitor assistant to Drs Simmons and Cooper at Hunter Health Centre, East Kilbride before taking time out to obtain a degree in health visiting at Paisley University.

Elaine joined the Alison Lea Medical Centre in 2001, a post in which she remained until her retirement.

Elaine is married to Kevin and has three children Peter (30), Sarah (27) and Michael (20) and one grandson, also Michael (2).

In her spare time Elaine enjoys tapestry, gardening, swimming, gospel/folk music and walking her dog Lady.  She also sings and plays clarinet and guitar at her local church as well as taking part in prison visits where she leads the worship service.

Colleague Isobel McCawley said: “Elaine is a diligent and highly competent health visitor who is respected and held in high regard by both her patients and peers.  I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Elaine for all of her hard work and to wish her a happy and healthy retirement”.