‘Incredibly charming’ Derbyshire consultant died after contracting coronavirus

Manjeet Singh Riyat, 52, died on Monday at the Royal Derby Hospital, where he worked.

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University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) said Mr Riyat – who was the UK's first Sikh A&E consultant – was widely respected across the NHS.

Gavin Boyle, UHDB’s chief executive, said Mr Riyat was ‘instrumental in building the Emergency Medicine Service in Derbyshire over the past two decades’.

Mr Boyle added: “He was an incredibly charming person and well-loved.

“Manjeet knew so many people here across the hospital.

“We will all miss him immensely.

“On behalf of everyone here at UHDB, including our patients and the communities we serve, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to his family.”

Susie Hewitt, an emergency medicine consultant at the hospital, said: “Manjeet was enormously valued and much loved as a colleague, supervisor and mentor as well as for his wise councel and discreet support in tough times.

“For many, Manjeet was considered the father of the current emergency department in Derby and many more will reflect on how his inspiration has shaped their own careers.”

Dr Kathy McLean, chair of UHDB, added: “Manjeet was hugely popular across the hospital and a warm and embracing figure, a person who many of our staff looked up to.

“I want to offer our condolences to all his family and friends at this sad time.”

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