Coronavirus: ‘Very special’ doctor Medhat Atalla dies after contracting COVID-19

A “very special” doctor who cared for elderly people on three continents during his career has died after contracting coronavirus.

Dr Medhat Atalla, 62, was a consultant geriatrician at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where he passed away.

The hospital said he was a “hugely popular and respected colleague” and a “truly gentle gentleman” who affected the lives of “so many in such a positive way”.

“He will be hugely missed by us all,” senior staff added as they thanked colleagues for doing “all they could to care for and support him as he bravely battled COVID-19“.

Dr Atalla arrived in Britain from Egypt about 20 years ago and cared for many elderly patients in hospitals in the north of England.

Hundreds of people paid tribute to the consultant on Facebook, with one saying she “sat crying” as she read the news, adding that he was a “real NHS hero”.

Someone else said he was “such a kind and gentle soul”.

One member of staff said on the trust’s Facebook page: “RIP you wonderful man.

“Your ward rounds were absolute gold, so much time spent listening to patients & giving them a reassuring squeeze when so many of us felt too rushed for time.

“You made them smile so much & your empathy did not go unnoticed. An enormous loss to geriatrics.”

Dr Tim Noble, medical director, and Richard Parker OBE, chief executive of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “It is with immense sadness that we inform you that our colleague, Dr Medhat Atalla, has passed away following treatment for COVID-19 at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

“Dr Atalla became a full-time member of our trust in 2014, when he was appointed as a consultant geriatrician on our Gresley Unit. We were fortunate to have worked with him for many years prior to this, since his arrival in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s.”

They added: “A hugely popular and respected colleague, Dr Atalla was a very special human being who practised medicine across three continents throughout his career, affecting the lives of so many in such a positive way.

“He was a truly gentle gentleman and he will be hugely missed by us all.

“As a Trust, we share our deepest sympathies with Dr Atalla’s brother and sister, and loved ones in Egypt, and we ask that the media respect their wishes during this extremely challenging time.”

Dr Atalla is the second member of staff at Doncaster Royal Infirmary to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus, after plaster technician Kevin Smith.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: ‘Very special’ doctor Medhat Atalla dies after contracting COVID-19