Tribute to popular South Tyneside TA medic and hospital doctor

A well-known former hospital doctor, who dedicated his life to helping sick youngsters, has died.
TA SOLDIER AND CONSULTANT AT SOUTH TYNESIDE HOSPITAL, DR MIKE MASSAM.TA SOLDIER AND CONSULTANT AT SOUTH TYNESIDE HOSPITAL, DR MIKE MASSAM.
TA SOLDIER AND CONSULTANT AT SOUTH TYNESIDE HOSPITAL, DR MIKE MASSAM.

Dr Mike Massam spent 23 years at South Tyneside District Hospital working as a consultant paediatrician in its special care baby unit.

He was also a medical officer with the Territorial Army - serving with 201 Field Hospital as a lieutenant colonel on various tours including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq and Northern Ireland.

BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, GARY MELTBY, MIKE MASSAM, SHARON MCDOWELL, AND JANICE DAVIES.BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, GARY MELTBY, MIKE MASSAM, SHARON MCDOWELL, AND JANICE DAVIES.
BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, GARY MELTBY, MIKE MASSAM, SHARON MCDOWELL, AND JANICE DAVIES.

He retired in 2009 from both the hospital and the TA,

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Dr Massam was discovered at his home in Mariner’s Cottages, South Shields, on November 14, aged 67.

As yet, the cause of his death is unexplained.

His friend and former colleague Malcolm Osborne said: “I knew Mike through the hospital and he was also a good friend. We also both served with the TA.

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“You never heard anyone say a bad word about him. He was just a lovely fella who really wanted to help people and he would go out of his way to do so.

“He loved kids and would always go above and beyond to help put a smile on their faces. He’d often organised trips for them to football matches, which wasn’t part of his job but he would do it anyway.”

He added: “He was one of life’s genuine people.”

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Dr Massam spent 23 years of his 37 year medical career at South Tyneside District Hospital.

BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, GARY MELTBY, MIKE MASSAM, SHARON MCDOWELL, AND JANICE DAVIES.BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, GARY MELTBY, MIKE MASSAM, SHARON MCDOWELL, AND JANICE DAVIES.
BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, GARY MELTBY, MIKE MASSAM, SHARON MCDOWELL, AND JANICE DAVIES.

Dr Shaz Wahid, Medical Director at South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust said: “We were very sad to hear about the passing of Dr Mike Massam, who was a Consultant Paediatrician at South Tyneside District Hospital for many years until his retirement in 2008.

“He was well-liked and respected by staff and patients alike, and we pass on our condolences to his family and friends.

As yet, there are no funeral details.