Not to replace the long-serving Mrs Crawford - the general practice nurse has no plans to quit her four-days-a-week position.

Rather, the medical centre needs to replace Paula Murray, who has been doing the fifth weekday, but will be finishing today.

Mrs Crawford has been working in her “exciting” job since 1986, and is loved by her colleagues and patients.

Les Woollard, the resident GP, calls her “an absolute treasure”, while Ms Murray says that she is a “very nice person and very competent nurse”.

A general practice nurse is required to fulfil an array of duties, including immunisation, wound care, instrument sterilisation, mole scans, asthma management, performing ECGs, ordering stores, providing health advice and assisting in surgery.

The nurse must also do health assessments for children, diabetics, the elderly and the pregnant (ante-natal and post-natal).

“It’s a varied job - but it’s an exciting one, because you’re doing so many different things every day,” Mrs Crawford says.

She finds her elderly patients “really inspiring”, due to their wealth of knowledge and stories.

She also takes great pleasure in dealing with patients at the opposite end of the age spectrum, and then following them on their life journeys.

“I just love the babies. I’ve seen so many grow up - and seen them come in with their own babies, now.”

Ms Murray’s replacement would be required to do about one-and-a-half days per week, in what she calls a “very pleasant working environment”.

For more information, phone the medical centre on 6752-2600.