TRIBUTES have been paid to an internationally respected HIV expert who died suddenly this week.

Professor Martin Fisher, a consultant at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, passed away on Tuesday.

The Brighton and Hove coroner has been informed of his death, which comes less than a month after the trust launched an internal review into the death of another top consultant.

Consultant anaesthetist Dr Christian Osmer was found dead at his home in Pinewood Close, Brighton, on the evening of February 28.

The news of Prof Fisher’s death was broken to his colleagues and patients on Tuesday.

Prof Fisher was instrumental in setting up the trust’s specialist HIV unit after his appointment in 1995 and was well known to many patients.

He was also chair of HIV medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

A spokesman for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals said: “Martin was so much more than a colleague to many of us at the trust and he will be missed very much.

“Everyone who knew him is devastated by the news and our thoughts are with his partner, friends and family at this difficult time.

“We have notified his patients who we know will be equally sad.

“He had a hugely successful career and his legacy will remain with us for years to come.”

Medical school dean Malcolm Reed said: “In the short time I knew Martin I was hugely impressed by his clinical and academic accomplishments and equally by his humour, compassion and humanity.

“The impact of this loss will be felt not only in the medical school, the trust and the universities, but also by his patients in Brighton and his many friends and colleagues nationally and internationally.

“Martin leaves a huge gap in the life of the medical school but also a strong legacy and very fond memories.

“We shall miss him and extend our condolences to his partner Adrian, his family and close friends.”

Prof Fisher, 50, was due to give two presentations at the British HIV Association spring conference in Brighton this week.

The association sent “its deepest condolences” to Prof Fisher’s partner, family, friends and colleagues and said its members would all miss him greatly.

Details of his funeral will be announced later.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “At 12.30am on Tuesday police were called to an address in Clifton Hill, Brighton, where a 50-year old man who lived there had been found dead.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and the Coroners Officer will be continuing enquiries.”

 

Profile

Prof Fisher had been a consultant in HIV/genitourinary medicine in Brighton since 1995 and chair of HIV medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School since 2013.

In addition to research and clinical work, he was founding convenor for the national diploma in HIV medicine and an executive member of the British HIV Association.

Prof Fisher was a researcher in a breakthrough study to provide protection from HIV with a daily
pill.

The PROUD study found the drug Truvada given in sexual health centres cut the risk of HIV infection by 86%.