A WELL-known Rubery doctor who often consulted in shorts and sandals has died at the age of just 51.

Dr Mark Fernell was a partner at the Cornhill Practice in New Road building up the consultancy from humble beginnings working from a semi-detached house.

He was working as a full time GP until just seven weeks ago but was found to be suffering from a brain tumour and died earlier this month at the Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry with wife Jacqui at his bedside.

Dr Fernell was highly regarded by colleagues and patients and was known to go out on a limb to do the best for people who were ill.

He would often consult dressed in shorts and sandals and with his feet on the desk, which according to colleagues put patients at ease but explained a reluctance to videotape consultations for the Royal College of General Practice membership examinations.

Several years ago he was investigated for alleged over spending on drugs to lower cholesterol before they became an accepted treatment but was subsequently vindicated.

His ethos to his patients is reflected in the fact that when making house calls Dr Fernell would often not just prescribe but also collect the medicine from the chemist.

A colleague said he suffered himself from ill health including bouts of depression but always put his work and his patients first.

Dr Fernell had a premonition that sadly came to pass that he would not live to see his retirement.

His funeral took place at St Mary Magdalen Church at Himbleton in Worcestershire on Monday.

A book of condolence has been opened at the surgeryto be passed on to his wife.

More information is available on a new website www.markfernell.net