A MEMORIAL service is to be held to celebrate the life of Poole Hospital consultant Hugh Cox.

The 61-year-old was reported missing after he failed to turn up for work where he was a ‘hugely respected’ consultant in ear, nose and throat and a head and neck surgeon. A missing person’s appeal was launched however his body was found in the English Channel by fisherman and emergency services on June 28.

Tributes poured in from colleagues and patients following Mr Cox’s death.

One patient said: “This day and age you hear the word hero thrown about carelessly but Mr Cox was without a doubt a true hero. You gave my family and I the greatest gift – you saved my life and I wish I could have returned the favour.”

Another said: “Mr Cox was my child’s consultant and helped us through a very difficult time. He was one of the good guys.”

A service of remembrance will be held to celebrate the life and work of the consultant on September 11 at 6.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Longfleet Road.

The service will feature hymns, readings and eulogies from family members and Poole Hospital colleagues and is open to all members of the public, former patients and those who worked with Mr Cox.

An inquest was opened into his death last month but has been adjourned until January 5.

The court heard how there was some indication he may harm himself when he left his home in White Lackington in Dorchester the morning he went missing and the coroner said the cause of death was drowning.

Mr Cox’s first consultant post was in the Royal Navy, including honorary consultancies at Portsmouth and Southampton University Hospitals.

He started at Dorset County Hospital in 1999 before moving to Poole Hospital in 2001.