Town tributes as much-loved GP dies, aged 75
TRIBUTES have been paid to an Ormskirk GP who served the town for 40 years.
Dr Akhilesh Kumar Varma died on June 6, aged 75, surrounded by his family.
Dr Varma was at the helm of Six Stanley Street surgery for 40 years from 1977 to 2007, when he finally retired.
His son, Sushant, paid tribute to his father.
He said: “My dad served the people of Ormskirk for 40 years and was very well known in the town.
“In some cases, he had four generations of the same family on his books and he was incredibly thorough in his diagnosis.
“I am sure that many of his former patients would want to attend his funeral.
“During my dad’s last days, I used to take him shopping and even though he was in a wheelchair many of his former patients asked how he was and if he’d come back to treat them.
“You have no idea how painful it was for me to see such an active man in a wheelchair.”
Dr Varma was a pioneer, introducing the first repeat prescription service for patients in 1978.
He developed a relationship with the town’s three chemists and developed a system where prescriptions would be available to collect from the pharmacy or surgery in one trip, saving patients time and effort.
He also invested in stress management services, employing a counsellor to help patients suffering anxiety or stress.
Dr Varma was also interested in helping people through their phobias, in a time when mental health carried a stigma.
His funeral will take place on June 24, at 12.15pm, at West Lancashire Crematorium, Burscough.
Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family should send them to Feel Good, 21, Knowsley Road, Ormskirk, L39 4RB.
Do you have fond memories of Dr Varma? email sophie.mccoid@ trinitymirror.com in