In the 1920s Dr John Dow, brought up and trained in Scotland, joined Dr Banks’ practice in Redditch. At this time Redditch was a small market town. He bought a house that became the Surgery, and another Scottish doctor, Dr Mitchell, joined him.
Dr Dow’s sister worked as a practice dispenser. Dr John Dow had three sons, all of whom became doctors. Two of them, Tom and Iain, joined the family practice, whilst Bill headed for Western Australia.
Whilst Redditch was developing as a “New Town”, the practice was obliged to move premises twice, but the doctors and staff (and patients) stuck together. In 1991 Tom’s son, John, succeeded his Father and Dr Iain retired shortly after. John’s sister also worked in the practice. The practice moved to a new, purpose-built premises in 1995.
We enjoyed working in a friendly atmosphere. Things are very different from the time of the first Dr John Dow, but we were keen to maintain a family-based service, with a high quality of modern medical care.
Now for the first time in 99 years there is no longer a Dr Dow at The Dow Surgery following the retirement of Dr John D C Dow in March 2022.
He will be missed by Staff and Patients alike, however, The Dow name will carry on!