‘Truly gentle’ doctor, 62, who dedicated his career to caring for the elderly is latest NHS medic killed by coronavirus
TRIBUTES have been paid to a “truly gentle gentleman” who died from coronavirus after dedicating his medical career to caring for the elderly.
Consultant geriatrician Dr Medhat Atalla had been working hard to protect the age group most vulnerable to the virus when he fell ill.
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The 62-year-old, who moved to the UK from his native Egypt nearly 20 years ago, died at Doncaster Royal Infirmary in South Yorkshire where he had been based since 2014.
In a statement, senior colleagues said: “Dr Atalla was a very special human being who practised medicine across three continents.
“He was a truly gentle gentleman and he will be hugely missed.”
Another NHS hero hit by the virus .
Charge nurse David Courtney-Williams, 48, and Steven, 55, his partner of 28 years, were both admitted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea where David works.
'THE PAIN WILL NEVER GO AWAY'
David said: “Coming out of a coma to be told that Steven had passed away was just unreal. I can’t really believe it.
“Steven was a gentle, caring person who we all loved deeply.”
Dad-of-11 Garry Melia has died eight weeks after the birth of his daughter, Sienna.
Chef Garry, 56, of Southport, Merseyside, was diagnosed with coronavirus after suffering a heart attack.
He died on Monday at Liverpool’s Broadgreen Hospital.
He and partner Susan Caunce had seven sons and four daughters between them.
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She said: “We are heartbroken. We are going to be so lost without him. The pain will never go away.”
Meanwhile, charity Cruse Bereavement Care said more than 100,000 people were grieving in isolation because of coronavirus.
It estimates that around 900,000 people have been unable to attend funerals or say goodbye to loved ones due to the lockdown.
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