PATIENTS and friends are standing by Dr Tom White, the Skipton doctor arrested last week in connection with the death of a female patient.

Dr White, who has practised at the town's Fisher Medical Centre for 10 years, was arrested by detectives last Thursday. He was later released on police bail while inquiries continued.

Contrary to national news reports, the Herald can reveal that the doctor was not questioned about the death of a 19-year-old drug addict.

However, we understand the investigation surrounds the death of a Skipton woman in her 20s, who died after consulting her doctor. His arrest followed the results of a routine post mortem examination.

Messages of support have flooded in to the Herald this week from concerned patients and local residents. A bouquet of flowers was also left outside the doctor's Skipton home.

His wife, Helen, is also a doctor at the practice, and the couple have two young sons.

Derek Farrier, of Bay Horse Yard, who has been a patient of Tom White for four years, said: "He is a first class doctor. We just don't believe it.

"He is excellent, really caring, and conscientious."

Ella Cox, of Aldersley Road, Skipton, said: "I am absolutely shocked about it all.

"Dr White has been our family doctor since he came to Skipton and we have the greatest of respect for him.

"Last Easter I lost my husband and for the last three years of his illness no-one could have given me more support than Dr White did."

Her thoughts were echoed by in a second anonymous letter, which said: "I offer my heartfelt sympathy to the family involved.

"However, I feel I must just say that when my husband was diagnosed as terminally ill with lung and liver cancer Tom White was an absolutely marvellous doctor.

"He was very caring, compassionate, tactful, helpful with matters such as certain benefits we were able to claim for terminally ill people. I look forward to the day when this matter is resolved."

Patient Corinne Hill, 38, of Skipton, who was treated by Dr White when recovering from breast cancer, described him as "quiet and approachable."

"He is a lovely man. He treated me throughout my breast cancer recovery. I have complete confidence in him and his wife.

"I don't know him socially but as a doctor he is very considerate and caring."

Dr White, 46, has been suspended from work for the foreseeable future and locum Carol Brown has stepped into his position. She is originally from Barnoldswick, and it will be the second time she has worked at the practice.

Dr Gavin McBurnie, director of Primary Care at North Yorkshire Health Authority said: "The authority has agreed to fund the appointment of a locum in order to maintain services to patients."

He added that he was not in a position to offer any information relating to the police investigation.

Detective Inspector Neil Thewsey, who is leading the inquiry, said the doctor spent most of last Thursday being interviewed.

"We expect to speak to him again - inquiries are on-going," he said.

The police issued a statement nationally after inquiries were first made by the Craven Herald last week.

The statement said: "The doctor is on police bail until March 3.

"We can confirm the dead woman was a patient and stress that the investigation concerns a single, specific death. We cannot confirm the identity of the dead woman at this stage at the request of the bereaved family."

Dr White, through his agent, declined to speak to his local newspaper this week. However, he did agree to pose for a picture taken by a national photographic agency.