TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved family GP and leading Bradford figure, whose death was announced by the medical practice where he worked for almost 40 years.

Dr Gavin Craig, who played a key role in the expansion and development of Westcliffe Medical Practice, Shipley, died at St Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate on Monday.

Born in Shipley in 1946 and educated at Bradford Grammar School, he joined the practice, founded by his father Dr John Craig, after studying medicine at Queen’s University Belfast.

He spent his early years as a doctor working in Northern Ireland in hospital medicine, during the early 1970s, when the "Troubles" were at their height.

He also worked in Leeds Hospitals where he gained his membership of the Royal College of Physicians.

Dr Craig returned to Yorkshire to join his father in General Practice in 1976, when the practice moved to Shipley Health Centre.

He was instrumental in the expansion of the partnership, which became a GP training practice in 1980.

Dr Craig gained Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners and over the years trained and provided mentorship for many trainee GPs in the area.

As well as his general practice and training roles, he became a GP with special interest in urology and was also instrumental in establishing the Bradford Community Diabetic service, taking a lead role in the care of diabetic patients within the practice.

Interested in medical politics, he was an active member of the Local Medical Committee, also serving a term as Chairman of the LMC.

Outside of medicine, Dr Craig was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his wife, Anita, their four children, and, more recently, their grandchildren.

He had many interests including golf and sailing - which led him to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2005.

He was also a past president of Shipley Rotary Club and past president of Bradford Grammar School Old Bradford Association.

A previous Chairman of Bradford Cyrenians, he was a member and chairman of Bradford Local Medical Committee until 2004.

A family spokesman said: "Gavin was an extremely popular, and much-loved GP.

"His warm and friendly personality endeared him to patients and engendered confidence and trust.

"He epitomised all the qualities of traditional Family Practice and first and foremost he was interested in the patient as a person, not just in the underlying medical problem.

"He developed a large following of devoted patients, whom he cared for with the utmost dedication.

"Gavin has been a hugely influential and popular GP in Bradford.

"His patients will be indebted to him for his personal care and friendship. His colleagues will value his leadership, mentorship, wisdom and camaraderie."

A service of thanksgiving for Dr Craig's life will be held at Bradford Cathedral at 11am on Monday, July, 20. Donations in Gavin’s memory would be directed to the bursary fund at Bradford Grammar School at the Cathedral or by post c/o H H Birch & Son Ltd, Nab Wood, Shipley, BD18 4BG.