Health manager steps down after 50 years' loyal service

Now, 50 years later, he's retiring after a working lifetime's loyal service to the NHS in Doncaster. The 65-year-old, who lives in Bennetthorpe, stepped down as head of strategic partnerships at NHS Doncaster last Friday.

He said: "The best thing about working in the NHS has been the people. It's been 50 years but I've enjoyed every second of it. I've made lots of friends and the people above and below me have always been very pleasant to work with.

"What the NHS gives you is the feeling that you are doing something for the people. I don't really feel like I've worked for the NHS for the last 50 years. I feel like I've been working for the people of Doncaster. That is a feeling that has given me a lot of pleasure."

Mr Drakeley, who with wife Valerie has two children, Charlotte, 30, and Alexander, 28, left school with no formal qualifications and started work aged 15 as a junior in the town's NHS registration section.

He now sits as a director on the board of the Doncaster Central Development Trust and will continue to fulfil that role in a voluntary capacity after his retirement.

The chairman of NHS Doncaster, Roger Greenwood, said: "Arnold is a respected leader and trusted colleague and he has greatly contributed to the ongoing success of the NHS in Doncaster over the last 50 years.

"He has had an interesting and varied career and has remained a consummate healthcare professional throughout. We wish him all the best in his retirement."