February 22, 2001 15:01: DEDICATED Pam Epps is retiring after 27 years of hard work for the South Bucks National Health Trust.

However, she will continue working for a few hours a week for the Bucks Health Authority.

Mrs Epps, 55, who lives in Hyde Heath said she plans to keep active after leaving her position as principal pharmacist last Thursday, and taking on the job of inspecting nursing homes.

She said: "I wanted to have this little job to keep for the next year or so as I can choose which hours suit me. I am still going to take it easy, but first I am going off to Spain, Peru and France."

During her 27 years with the trust, she has worked with the childhood vaccination programme and with the Family Planning Association as well as in the pharmacy.

Anita Hansford, a principal pharmacist at Wycombe Hospital, said: "I am very sad to see her go. She was excellent at her job and a very good colleague. She was a people's person and so very supportive."

Suzanne Hood, who worked at Amersham Hospital, said: "We missed her even before she went."