Anaesthetist Julio Nunez is off to be a "happy pensioner" after 18 years at the Trust and 30 in the NHS.

His colleagues joined him in theatres at HRI to give him a send-off this lunchtime.

He said: "It is then with a mixture of sadness and happiness that I leave CHFT. Sadness because I’ll miss the people of the Trust, my colleagues of long years of hard (but happy) work and all the staff in theatres, ITU, DSU, Surgical wards and everybody else I came across along all these years. It’s been fantastic.

"They all are a lovely bunch of people, dedicated to their work, giving 120% to the NHS."

He reckons he may be the only Colombian ever to work at the Trust and adds: "I’ve enjoyed being here, it’s been “the happily ever after” time of our lives."

He has totally enjoyed living and working in Huddersfield. His family live in Holmfirth where they have many friends and his children went to local schools and gone on to university. He reckons he is looking forward to new happiness in retirement.

He adds: "Happiness because I look forward to a new part of my life, new activities, different places. I’ll be looking after my wife for the next two years as she continues working until her retirement.

"We shall be visiting and supporting the children wherever they are, volunteering locally, continuing with my sports activities, learning a language, and travelling. I am planning to be a happy pensioner. A wide, big world is out there to be explored, to be discovered and I’m on my way."

He also sent an open invitation to colleagues about visiting his home country. "If you ever consider visiting Colombia, let us know and I may be your host there. Despite reputation and press, Colombia is a nice, beautiful, friendly and, yes, believe it or not, a safe place to visit. I am on Facebook, easy to find, or e-mail me on juliornuneza@hotmail.com"

Adios y un abrazo