The death has occurred of well-known cardiologist Dr Brian Maurer.

Dr Maurer was a well-regarded specialist within his profession and was highly thought of by his patients.

During his final illness, Brian Maurer wrote an insightful article for irishhealth.com on his experience as a hospital patient.

In his usual rational and analytic style, he analysed, 'from the other side of the stethoscope', the strengths and weaknesses of our health system:

"I can summarise what I have learnt by affirming that the standard of care that I received in the hospitals I attended bears comparison with that provided anywhere in the world. However, I have also learnt that coordination of care can be a major problem and poses major difficulties for patient and practitioner alike."

Dr Maurer went on to say: "The dedication of the professionals and the kindness and support of friends has restored my faith in the basic benevolence of human nature."

Brian also displayed his compassionate pragmatism in an article for irishhealth.com in 2011 , at the height of the recession.

In it, he concluded: "If this crisis stimulates fuller participation in public affairs, fosters care and compassion for our disadvantaged neighbours and diminishes reliance on the state as the source of all funding and services, then we will create a society that is all the stronger for the travails through which it is now going."

Brian Maurer was born in Ennis, Co, Clare, and graduated in medicine from UCD. He was consultant cardiologist at Dublin's St Vincent's Hospital for many years.

The many position he held in the health field included President of the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cardiac Society, and chair of the Government taskforce on sudden adult death syndrome.

Dr Maurer was also Medical Editor of the journal Cardiology Professional, published by Medmedia, the publishers of irishealth.com

He is survived by his wife Timmie, three children, grandchildren, brother, sister, and extended family.

MedMedia and irishhealth.com would like to offer deepest sympathy to Brian Maurer's family on their loss.