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The Surrey GP has died after “the pressure of work finally got to her”, her husband shared in an emotional online post.
Dr. Gail Milligan’s body was found in the woods after she had been missing for 24 hours on Wednesday, Christopher Milligan shared on social media.
“Her work as a partner in a GP surgery became overwhelming. Especially during the pandemic,” she said.
“We have no doubt that the work made her ill.”
As well as treating patients and deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Milligan said his wife of 30 years was responsible for training several GPs and worked for numerous medical organisations.
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He worked at Camberley Health Center in Surrey.
Milligan had posted a message about his wife in a private GP online group, but it has since been widely shared on social media.
“The pressure to get it right and the endless emails and paperwork meant that in the last few years of her life she had neglected herself,” she wrote.
He said Gail often worked long days and her mental health had deteriorated. An email he received last Sunday is what caused a “deep, deep depression.”
“This was not a cry for help. This was clearly the only way I could see her suffering stop.
“If you knew my wife, you would know how normal this is for her. She was very proud of our boys.”
Milligan had a strong message for anyone who would listen to “boring about lay doctors.”
“Please stop and think about what happened to my wife,” he urged.
“My children have lost their mother and I have lost my best friend.”
A private GP, Dr Kartik Modha, tweeted: “The pressure NHS GPs are under is immense. Needs urgent action.”
A message posted on the Camberley Health Center website said: “Dr Milligan was a much loved member of the practice and she will be sorely missed by the staff and patients she so dedicatedly supported and cared for.
He added that Dr Milliagan was “a dedicated and passionate GP and was well-liked and respected by both patients and colleagues. His commitment and expertise in his various roles in primary care and medical education they were clear to everyone.”
Patients have been invited to write online memorial tributes to be shared with their family.
“We know that some members of the community will be affected by this sad news and so we want to remind you of the support available in Surrey Heath,” the practice said.
Dr Milligan graduated from the University of Manchester in 1998. She trained as a GP in Reading and joined Camberley Health Center in 2003.
Anyone affected by the issues in this story can contact Samaritans on 116 123.