Readers have paid tribute to Dr William Smith Mitchell, who has sadly died.

Dr Mitchell was a rheumatoid specialist and worked at Barrow’s Furness General Hospital for more than 30 years. One of Dr Mitchell’s most prominent achievements was being the first to spot the outbreak of the legionnaires disease at The Forum in 2002. The outbreak, in which seven people died, was ranked the second worst in British history.

Dr Mitchell’s daughter, Caroline Biggins, said that he was a ‘loving’ father and his family were his 'world'.

One reader Kathy Bartlett said: “This news has really upset me.

"Dr Mitchell was my consultant rheumatologist for 25 years.

"He was kind, caring and excellent at his job.

"When I broke my hip and had to spend weeks in hospital Dr Mitchell came to find me on the ward and held my hand.

"He was a lovely man and I will miss him a lot.”

Cynth Toal added: “I owe Dr Mitchell 19 years of my life.

"Nineteen years that I’ve been blessed to be able to spend with my family and friends.

"I was the lady first diagnosed with Legionella.

"From the bottom of my heart I thank God for Dr Mitchell and to whatever ideals he had that made him pursue a career in medicine and the welfare of his fellow man.

"Sincere thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.”

Tom Hendrie said: “He was a brilliant doctor with an old-school attitude to his patients.

"My wife was a patient of his for many years.

"When I was in hospital for something unconnected to his specialism he spotted me when doing his rounds and took the time to sit and spend a few minutes just chatting with me as a fellow Scot.

"He deserves to be remembered for his medical skills, but to me his simple humanity made him special."