Doctor hailed as 'credit to NHS' steps down after six decades
Doctor 'ahead of his time' finally calls time on 60 year career
An award-winning healthcare consultant hailed as “ahead of his time” by colleagues has finally called time on his career of more than six decades in the NHS – to good wishes for his retirement from hundreds of grateful staff and patients.
Described as “an inspiration”, a “truly amazing doctor” and “a lovely gentleman”, Dr Bijoy Mondal was celebrated at a special event at Rotherham Community Health Centre for his “vision and influence” in helping to transform, in particular, care of the elderly.
His long and distinguished career began when he moved to the UK from Bangladesh in 1965.
He started his NHS career first in South Wales before moving to Rotherham in January 1975.
In his leaving speech at the event attended by his family, friends, colleagues and patients, both past and present, he joked that he'd been asked why he was choosing to go to Rotherham, but said he was glad he did as “it was challenging but I enjoyed every moment of it.”
Dr Mondal's work in the borough started before Rotherham Hospital was built and opened.
He first worked across six sites in and around Rotherham, managing around 300 beds. Back when he started work in the town, Dr Mondal was Rotherham's only geriatric doctor.
Rotherham Hospital opened in 1978 and since then, Dr Mondal has continued to help shape and influence the care of Rotherham's elderly population both there and in the community.
In the early days of his tenure, Dr Mondal changed the admission process so that patients over a certain age could be immediately admitted for further assessment.
It was also his advocacy that secured a second geriatric physician for the Trust's patients.
In 1994, 'Phase 3B' of Rotherham Hospital was opened.
Today it's known as the Moorgate Wing but, back then, it was the 'Medicine for the Elderly Unit'.
Dr Mondal, with support from a fellow doctor, led and established the new unit.
Together, they cared for patients in 140 beds across five new wards.
A spokesperson for Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust said: “When the unit opened, Dr Mondal was instrumental in its development.
“He supported the training of doctors who specialised in stroke, ortho-geriatric and Parkinson's disease.
“He also served as the unit's general manager, becoming the first overseas doctor to hold such a position.”
His work also included caring for patients on two more acute wards and taking outpatient appointments.
In 2005, Dr Mondal had turned 65 - widely considered retirement age - when he accepted a newly created role as part of a pilot scheme to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
Moving his work from hospital to community, he visited patients in their homes to deliver hospital level care.
Later, this work would further develop when he would was a key part of initial work to establish a ward for community-based patients.
Dr Mondal told the Advertiser: “This is a highlight of my career.
“I know my patients and I know they did not want to be treated in hospital if they didn't need to be there – they wanted to be treated at home or in the community where they were more comfortable.”
Dr Mondal's efforts over his long career were recognised at the 2023 Proud Awards, organised by the trust, where he was honoured with the NHS 75 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Health Service.
Dr Rod Kersh, consultant community physician, has worked alongside Dr Mondal for the last 20 years.
He said: "Dr Mondal is ahead of his time.
"His role as a community physician, which he started 20 years ago, is now a way of working which is a key part of the NHS 10 year plan and integrated neighbourhood teams.
“Rotherham has benefited tremendously from his wisdom, vision and guidance on how to care for our residents.
Thank you Dr Mondal and all the very best for your retirement."
Here are just a selection of comments on the Advertiser's Facebook page from Dr Mondal's retirement.
Jackie Smith
“Wishing you a long and happy retirement Dr Mondal.
“I had the privilege of working with you at BML (Badsley Moor Lane) along with Dr Ghosh and then at Rotherham Community Health Centre.
“You also took great care of my mother in law who had Parkinson's disease many years ago.
“You are a credit to the NHS and thank you for all your care and dedication to all your patients and the staff that you have mentored for many years.”
Denise Danford
“He looked after my dad at BML in the late seventies, lovely man.”
Karen Bartram
“Love Dr Mondal and had the pleasure of working with him when we started to do his dementia clinics at Doncaster Gate Hospital and in the community.”
Rupert Castledine
“I would like to see this gentleman knighted.”
Christine Gresser
“My mum was a patient of his for many years and always said what a lovely gentleman he was. Enjoy your retirement - you certainly deserve it. “
“Thank you for the many years dedicated to the NHS in Rotherham x”
Baz Beaumont
“Enjoy your retirement sir. You really have earned it. Thank you from myself and thousands of other patients, too.”
Jan Scott
“A wonderful doctor loved by so many xx Enjoyed working in clinic. Always a joy to hear how much his patients loved and admired him.”
Billy Bell
“Amazing achievement. He's a lovely chap, too. “
Dorothy Ann Hardcastle
“Awesome gentlemen who I have always held 100% respect for.”
Anthony Maiden
“Lovely caring gentleman doctor.”
Rezina Saleh
“A truly amazing doctor.”
Allison Newsum
“You remain an inspiration and your unbelievable legacy will continue but you will be missed.”
Anne Sartin
“A lovely person so kind and caring with the patients. He had such a gentle way about him.”
Margaret Spencer
“What an inspiration. I worked with Dr Mondal at BML a good few years ago and most recently within the care home sector of Rotherham where he supported us to care for many of our residents and giving regular teaching sessions, always interesting and given and received with great enthusiasm.”
Sarah Holt
“A true gentleman. Enjoy your retirement Dr Mondal, very well deserved.”