A GREAT Western Hospital doctor who died of coronavirus has been hailed by colleagues and relatives of patients he treated.

Dr Thaung Htaik, 65, was a consultant in general medicine at the Swindon hospital.

Tributes have continued to pour in for him since news of his death was announced by GWH on Thursday.

The Adver has opened an online book of condolence for Dr Htaik and Dr Edmond Adedeji, a GWH locum registrar who died on April 8 at the age of 62.

One reader, who asked to remain anonymous, wrote: “Dr Htaik was one of several wonderful consultants who cared for my father in the GWH earlier this year. He showed such compassion to us all during his regular ward round and his words were both reassuring and honest to all of us.

“Since visiting dad there every day for nearly six weeks, I have thought about particular members of staff that we got to know and I have been hoping that they are all safe.

“I am so saddened that both of these gentlemen have paid the ultimate price for doing their job. They will never be forgotten. I am sorry for the sad loss felt by the families, friends and colleagues of Dr Adedeji and Dr Htaik.”

Sarah Churchill, a colleague of Dr Htaik, added: “I worked with Dr Thaung Htaik on the wards in the GWH, he was a lovely man who always had a smile on his face – he had time for questions and professional opinions of others, not just his doctor colleagues.

"My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Martin Taylor said: “I was treated by him last year. A good man and a very sad loss, rest in peace.”

Dr Htaik is survived by his wife, four children, and three grandchildren.

His daughter, who works at GWH, says he was more concerned for her safety than his own.

She told BBC Radio Wiltshire: “He has been a support to many patients.

“He was worrying more about me.

“The disease is very difficult and we don’t really know how to handle the disease right now, that’s the problem.

“He was protected in the same level like I’m protected right now. I am not at his work place so I don’t know but it seemed to me protection level is the same.”

GWH chief executive Kevin McNamara said: “Dr Htaik was a universally well-liked member of the team, who was known for his unwavering dedication to his patients, positive attitude, and willingness to help.”