TRIBUTES have been flooding in for a well-loved Bradford doctor after his sudden death. 

Dr Paul Southern, consultant hepatologist, associate medical director and chief clinical information officer at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) died at the start of this week.

READ MORE: Tributes pour in after death of Bradford doctor Paul Southern

Dr Southern joined Bradford in 2008 and was well-known and respected within the Trust and across Yorkshire.

He previously spent seven years working in the Leeds liver transplant unit and its associated intensive care unit, where he gained his MD.

Dr Ray Smith, chief medical officer at the Trust, said Dr Southern "embodied all that is good about the NHS".

He said: “Paul was hugely respected by clinical colleagues as an exemplary doctor and loved by his patients for his care.

"He was truly a people person, always positive and had huge empathy with his patients – he embodied all that is good about the NHS.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Dr Paul SouthernDr Paul Southern (Image: Newsquest)

Dr Southern was the Bradford lead clinician for the regional liver cancer multidisciplinary team. 

With his colleague, Dr Sulemaan Moreea, he provided specialist viral hepatitis treatment and managed all aspects of clinical hepatology.

He was also the clinical lead for alcohol within the Trust.

Alongside his clinical role, Dr Southern was an associate medical director for informatics within the Trust and was a driving force behind the implementation of EPR (Electronic Patient Record) at Bradford in 2017.

Mel Pickup, chief executive of BTHFT, said he would be missed by all those who knew him.

She added: “Paul’s enthusiasm and energy were boundless, he was always generous with his time and a constant help to colleagues, near and far.

“As well as being an excellent doctor he was instrumental in bringing the electronic patient record (EPR) system to the Trust in 2017 and continued to pioneer the use of digital technology in improving patient care and supporting colleagues to do their best work. 

“Paul will be very much missed and fondly remembered by everyone across the Trust.

"Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and all his colleagues at this very sad time.”