A FORMER Morecambe Bay consultant and 'dedicated' family man who 'transformed diabetes care' has passed away.

Dr David Walmsley was the first consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) when he took up his post in 1995.

He had studied medicine in Birmingham where he met his future wife Jenny, and his student elective at a mission hospital in Botswana helped shape his view of medicine.

Dr Walmsley worked as a junior doctor in the Midlands and Yorkshire before taking up a senior registrar post in Aberdeen.

As one of five consultant physicians Dr Walmsley was very busy in his early years at the Trust, providing inpatient care and clinics at both RLI and WGH. He introduced endocrinology clinics to the local area and transformed diabetes care, in particular through commencing dedicated diabetes antenatal clinics that supported women with diabetes through pregnancy.

He was a knowledgeable, dedicated and skilled physician and had an interest in pituitary disease.

Outside of work Dr Walmsley had a range of interests that included gardening, ornithology, music and ecology and he supported the Lune Valley Rivers Trust.

He was dedicated to his family and immensely proud of his two sons John and Phil who have both recently married and are pursuing careers in academia.

Dr Walmsley retired in February 2016 after 20 years as a consultant and pursued his different interests and spending time with his family.

A service of thanksgiving was held for Dr Walmsley at St Paul’s Church in Brookhouse at which donations were collected and will be divided between the Diabetes Centre at the RLI and the Woodlands Trust.

Sue Smith, Executive Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust said: "I have very fond memories of working with David and we stayed in touch over the years. When I came back to the Trust in my current role, David was one of the first to welcome me and offer his support. I am saddened that David has been taken so soon, and especially saddened for his family who David spoke about all of the time."