This is Staffordshire --A HOSPITAL has been left in shock by the sudden death of one of its top doctors at the height of his career.
Tributes are pouring in for child health specialist Dr David Roden from colleagues at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire and parents whose babies' lives he saved.
The consultant, who died at his home at the weekend, was the trust's only expert in scanning the brains and hearts of premature babies to pinpoint abnormalities.
Fellow medics told how Dr Roden, who was in his early 40s, was working normally last week and even took an outpatients clinic on Friday.
Parents were stunned when they first heard of the tragedy.
Feelings were so strong for the paediatrician that 1,300 of them signed a petition to save his job when it came under threat of redundancy seven years ago.
One of them,Tracy Bowden, credits Dr Roden with saving her twins when they were born 15 weeks premature in 2007.
The 33-year-old, from Norton, said: "This is such a tragic loss to the area – he is absolutely irreplaceable."
As soon as Amelia and Lewis were delivered at just under and over 2lbs respectively, Dr Roden took over every aspect of their care and both youngsters are now healthy.
Tracy said: "All this is down to Dr Roden who found the problem immediately and went the extra mile almost every day to sort out all her care until Amelia could come home seven months later.
"He was also brilliant at putting us at ease – so much so it was natural to call him 'Dave'
"He even called me at home to thank me for supporting him."
Another patient, Olivia Swift, weighed just 1lb 5oz when she was born three months premature in the same year.
Doctors said she might not survive the night – but thanks to Dr Roden she is now fighting fit.
Mum Jo-Ann, aged 40, of Ridgway Drive, Blythe Bridge, said: "He saved her life without doubt and made sure so many others had a fighting chance. Looking after sick babies was his way of life."
Fellow paediatrician, Professor Warren Lenney, said; "David's work with echo-cardiograms and ultrasound on babies with heart problems brought us something we had never had.
"He was here as a houseman and when he returned recently after sickness I was overjoyed.
"He was a quiet, gentle and humble man and will be a tragic loss." Reported by This is 11 hours ago.