Swine flu link to GP's death
Doctor's post-mortem shows he had virus
A Dunstable doctor who died at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital on Saturday had swine flu, health bosses have confirmed.
A post-mortem examination showed Dr Michael Day, 64, who worked at the Priory Gardens Health Centre, had the H1N1 virus.
The exact cause of Dr Day's death is still unknown, and it is not clear yet if he had any other health problems.
Were you a patient or friend of Dr Day? To pay your tributes to Dr Day click here or call the newsdesk on 01582 798557.
NHS Bedfordshire chairman, Sarah Boulton, said: "We are all very shocked and saddened at the news of the sudden death of Dr Day. On behalf of all the staff at NHS Beds, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family and also to the staff who worked so closely with him."
The practice has remained open and it was agreed by NHS Bedfordshire, the Health Protection Agency and NHS East of England that the practice would contact Dr Day's family members, practice staff and any patients who had recently been in contact with the GP.
They will be clinically assessed to determine whether they are showing symptoms of the virus and will be offered anti-viral medication.
The coroner will investigate Dr Day's death but an inquest is yet to be opened.
Your tributes
Dr Day has been our family doctor for 18 years, we would very much like to know where we can send our condolences to the family and when his funeral will be.
Don, Janine, Ian and Katie Dixon-Wilkinson
I don't expect Judy remembers me nor do I think that Michael would recognise me now but Joy and I are very sorry to hear the devastating news.
(Dr.) Franklyn Trevarthen.
my thoughts are with his family, his death has come as such a shock and he will be missed
his wife is also our childrens head teacher and our hearts are breaking for her
she is an amazing support to the famillies at the school i hope she now gets the support she deserves
RIP Dr Day x x x x
Doctor Day was my personal doctor, my mother was also his secretary for just over 30 years.
He was a wonderful doctor and friend, always ready to help in anyway he could. He was more than a doctor to our family and we will miss him dearly.
This is such a tragic story, he spent his whole life helping other and to be taken away like this is very sad.
Our thoughts are with his wife and children.
Andrea Holmes
Dr Day was our family doctor for 25 years. He was a wonderful doctor and will be sorely missed by all of his patients and practice staff. He diagnosed that our grandson, at the age of 10 days, had meningitis. Our grandson made a complete recovery and we have always attributed this to the prompt action of Dr Day. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. Christine and Alan Woolridge
Michael Day was our family doctor for many years and his wife was my me and my brothers teacher in our lower school (Beecroft Lower).
Michael helped our family through a very hard time when my mother contracted cancer back in the late 90's, he will be sadly missed by all my family and no doubt by every person who had the good fortune to meet him and his family.
I would very much like to attend the funeral and pay my respects, my thoughts are with the family now in this hard time.
God bless you Michael, RIP.
Gary Tonks
I would just like to say that Dr Day has been my doctor since i moved to Dunstable in 1983, He was a great doctor, very warm and caring, nothing was ever too much for him.
I am shocked by his sudden death and my thoughts and love go out to his family and friends.
Dr Day was a great doctor who will be Greatly missed
Andy p
Dr Day was my father Taqi Hadi's GP. Far more than a doctor, he was a friend to all our family, someone who went far beyond the call of duty to be unfailingly there whenever we needed him. My father has been very ill and repeatedly in an out of hospital in recent years, especially so over the past 6 months, and I firmly believe that he would not have pulled through without the care of Dr Day. We are all devastated to hear of his death. Our thoughts are with Judy and the family. We all share in their loss, and I know there are many others who will feel the same way. He was an extraordinary human being.
Sara Hadi
i was so sorry to hear of the death of dr michael day as i had been a patient of his for over 35 years, in fact, i was his first mother to be. i thought he was a great doctor always had plenty of time to listen to what was wrong, he would not be hurried. he would also chat to me if we met outside the surgery. i will miss him very much indeed and i wish to send my deepest sympathy to his family. he will be greatly missed.
pat schofield
He was a fantastic family doctor. He treated the person and had a genuine interest in all his patients. I have not only had the benefit of his medical expertise as a patient but more than 20 years ago I was lucky enough to work alongside him. I have taken his shared knowledge and his kindness and empathy with me through the years and passed it onto others. He will live on through many of us working in the field with families. Thank you Dr Day.
Chrissie C
Dr Day was an excellent and hard working G.P. with a wonderful sense of humour, and will be missed by all that knew him. Our condolences to Dr Day's family,
from the Tanner's.
My husband and were patients of Dr Day for 14 years he was a really good friend to us and always had time to listen
And he was also wonderful Doctor.
R.I.P Michael.
Gillian & Ian Turner
Dr Day will be very sadly missed by myself and my husband, we now live in Blackpool but Dr Day was both our GP for many years up until two years ago. He was a wonderful man, our condolances are with hes family, he always spoke about hes family whenever I saw him.
RIP Michael
Jo-Anne & Henry Tonks (Blackpool)
I was shocked to hear on Sunday of the sudden death of Dr Michael Day, when my mother phoned me with the sad news. Then last night, on BBC Radio 4 national news, I heard Michael named as being linked to the current 'Swine Flu' epidemic. I knew Michael for many years, when I lived in Dunstable, and I have never heard of a more popular GP. Michael was one of the few contemporary people mentioned by name in the book "Dunstable in Detail" (1986): 'The Health Centre... was opened in July 1976. As well as containing a group of GPs, headed by the excellent Dr. Michael Day, there is a clinic for children and expectant mothers.' (Top of p36.) Today, the word 'excellent' seems inadequate to describe a man who was so caring and dedicated, with such good humour. I know he will be greatly missed and mourned by literally thousands of people. My condolences to Judy and the rest of his family.
"Like a bird singing in the rain, Let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow." - Robert Louis Stevenson
Nigel C. Benson
My family and I were patients of Doctor Day for the past 33 years, we were very shocked and saddened to hear of his sudden death. He was a very special doctor and will be greatly missed by everyone. He always had time to listen to your problems and would never rush you when in his surgery. Our thoughts go out to his family and colleagues. God Bless you Dr Day.
Jean & Terry Stimpson
Dr Day became my Doctor in 1991. He was incredibly intelligent, sharp witted and dedicated to both his job and family. He had a sense of humour that made you immediately feel better and a genuine interest in you as a patient and individual. He never rushed you and had a caring manner many others within the medical profession lack. He was never rude, only kind and considerate. He was an innovative Doctor, recommending I seek oesteopathy treatment for a back condition, back in the early 90's. It is down to him, I live the life I do, as his recommendation has proved extremely beneficial to my health. In latter years, having had two children, I did not have the time to wait to see him....for bless him, his dedication to each individual patient, would sometimes result in long waits at the surgery. He did, however, always say hello to me by name, have a smile for my children and something amusing to say. He loved sailing and I can only hope that in heaven's ocean he now is sailing, enjoying a glass of red wine and smiling, as he realises how special and a unique, much valued GP he was. If we, the public will miss this character so, one can only imagine how his family will miss him. Thoughts go out to family and colleagues....at this difficult time.
P A Griggs, Dunstable.
Dr Day was my Doctor since I was born (1967) and then until I moved away six years ago. Dr Day was very supportive and was always keen to try alternative methods rather than just prescribe medicines. As also mentioned here Dr Day recommended Osteopathy treatment for a very painful back condition and to this day has not re-occurred to that extent and any minor discomforts can be easily managed.
Our thought and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.
Paul Boundy
Dr Michael Day was my GP for 23years before we left the area. There were many occasions in my life that i really don't know how i would of coped with, without this amazing man. He was a unique, humorous and charming person. Naturally gifted in his work as a Doctor he had an astonishing capability to get on with people from all walks of life. He was a brilliant, devoted and caring GP with a true passion for his work.
I shall always remember him with real affection. Such a tragic loss of a really special man.
My sincere condolences to his family at this extremely sad time. God Bless Him.
Lynn Freeman & Family ( Nee Harrington )
So very sad to hear the news of Dr Day. He was a wonderful GP and cared for myself and my family for thirty two years,he helped my husband and myself through a very difficult part of our lives following the death of our first born baby, he was a good listener, he was always kind and a very good sense of humour.My prayers go out to his wife Judy and lovely family Judy taught one of my children and was also a person that cared for the community. We will miss him very much. Mavis and Phil Parker Dunstable
Dr Michael Day has been my doctor since I born 31 years ago. He was a remarkable man who spent a great deal of time with not only me but all of his patients. He always tried to get to the bottom of the problem rather than sign a prescription to get you out of the door. My sympathies go out to his wife Judy, who taught me during my time at Beecroft Lower School, and their children. He shall be sorely missed by my family and I'm sure I will have great difficulty in finding another Dr who will show the kindness, patience and consideration shown to me throughout my life by Dr Day. RIP Dr Day xx
Michelle Shulman nee Wykes, Dunstable
Dr. Day had been our family doctor for over 30 years and I am shocked and saddened to hear of his sudden death. He saw me through the birth of my two daughters, now adults themselves, and through many challenging medical conditions. I found him to be thorough and caring as well as human and humorous in all my visits to him. As a patient, you may have had to wait a while beyond your appointment time to get to see him, but you knew that when you did, he would give you his full attention, expertise and all the time you needed! We shall miss him terribly.
It is such a shame that having given so much of himself to his patients, he had to die so suddenly in this way. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
Janet Pantry
Dr Michael Day, not only was my doctor but my best friend. For many years we sailed together on some wonderful trips, he taught me more about sailing than anyone. His calm competence installed confidence in people who were taking to the water for the first time. His integrity, compassion, humour and kindness towards people and animals were second to none. The professional attitude he showed for his work and colleagues helped to change and shape so many people's lives for the better. I recall a few years ago sailing with him in the Mediterranean, he thought nothing of calling patients to check that they were ok and that the medication they were on was working, this was his way.
I consider it a privilege to have been allowed to share some wonderful times with him and his family; however the real honour was to be able to call him, friend.
God bless Michael, keep the sails trimmed.
Garry Connor
Where can I start with the tribute to Dr Michael Day?
I first met him sailing. I remember the first trip (one of many happy times thereafter), because of his competence and confidence as skipper, his infectious laughter, witty sense of humour, and relaxed manner, that made the trips really enjoyable to every member of the crew. Later, as my GP, I learned that his dedication to the job went way beyond the ordinary call of duty, and that nothing was ever too much trouble. Anyone who got to know him personally soon realised that his caring sensitive nature extended to everything in everyday life and he was an absolute fountain of knowledge, which he enjoyed sharing and if you had a question (which needn't be of a medical origin) and he didn't know an answer, he'd take great delight to research the item further, and come back to you, sometimes, several weeks later.
I have numerous fond & funny memories from all the various social occasions and sailing trips shared with Michael and his family, and I will cherish those memories, I am so proud to have been able to call Michael a friend, and he'll be forever in my thoughts.
So Michael, may a favourable wind always be there with you, keeping the sails filled as you travel on your celestial journey, singing a good song, with an ever-full glass of red wine on hand….
God bless, as you rest with the angels
Mary Edwards
Dr Day was our GP when we lived near Dunstable many years ago. We are saddened to hear of his sudden death. He was a very caring person - we remember especially the time when our young son was poorly with whooping cough and Dr Day would occasionally pop in to see how he was doing. Please pass on our condolences to his family-he will be greatly missed.
Jenny and Adrian Warner & family (Norfolk
brillant doctor and a lovely man rip
Barbara Fisher
Some of my earliest childhood memories involve Dr Day and the scary hand drawn "smoking makes you thin" poster! A great loss to the community. My thoughts go to family, friends and colleagues of Dr Day. Rest In Peace.
Clare Fisher
Message: I have some wonderful memories of Dr Day from my time at Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club and heard of his death with great sadness. His willingness to treat players on the spot on matchdays spared many from the long hours of waiting in A&E and I for one am forever in his debt for such impromptu yet highly skillful patching up work - usually with nothing more than a pint of Guinness as a pre-med!
Sincere condolences to Dr Day's wife and family at this time of such sadness.
Mark Webster
Mike Corrigan from Houghton Regis: "He was my doctor but he was also a friend. We both belonged to the local branch of the RNLI and he was president of our branch for a time. He was one hell of a guy, so caring. He thought of the patient first before himself, he was fantastic. He has died well before his time."
My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Dr. Michael Day. He had been my G.P. for over 20 years and he will be very sadly missed.
Wendy Wright
WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT DR. MICHAEL DAY, APART FROM HE WAS A ONE OF. I HAD KNOWN HIM FOR 32 YEARS AND HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN PART OF MY LIFE AND INDEED SAVED MY LIFE AT 22 YEARS OF AGE. I NOT ONLY KNEW HIM AS A DOCTOR, BUT ALSO AS A FRIEND, AND FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS HELPED HIM WITH HIS PRIVATE WORK, AND WE BOTH WORKED WELL TOGETHER HAVING MANY LAUGHS. HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A VERY DEDICATED DOCTOR TO MYSELF, GRANDMOTHER, PARENTS, DAUGHTERS AND MY GRANDSON, NOTHING WAS EVER TOO MUCH TROUBLE FOR HIM, WE USED TO RING HIM AT HOME, MOBILE OR WORK IF ONE OF US WAS UNWELL, THEN HE WOULD CALL ROUND AND ALWAYS SHARE OF GLASS OF RED WINE OR SOMETHING, SOMETIMES POSSIBLY A BOTTLE WITH US, AFTER HE HAD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM THOUGH, WHICH HE WAS SO EXCELLENT AT. I WILL DEEPLY, DEEPLY MISS HIM, AND WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT A SPECIAL MAN HE WAS, HE WILL ALWAYS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.
JILL KENNINGHAM
Were you a patient or friend of Dr Day? To pay your tributes to Doctor Day click here or call the newsdesk on 01582 798557.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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