Ian Button, a 63-year-old inpatient at Northampton General Hospital, died after shooting himself in the head.

The shooting sparked panic on a six-bed bay of the hospital's general medical Benham Ward at about 11am on Monday.

Mr Button, of Tattersall Close, Parklands, Northampton, was in full-time employment, working within the hire and leasing industry.

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A family statement released this afternoon said: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the tragic death of our beloved husband, son and father.

"Although he had a long and difficult fight over the last few years, with several compromising and debilitating illnesses, he was a kind gentleman and compassionate man whose genuine purpose throughout his life was to help and support those around him at whatever the personal cost to himself.

"He was regarded by all that knew him as a true gentleman in every sense.

"Ian leaves behind a wife of 40 years who is in residential care for a terminal illness, a son and a very tight-knit family."

Emergency staff tried to resuscitate Mr Button following the shooting but he died shortly afterwards.

A firearm was recovered from the scene and police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

Det Sgt Rankin McCarrick said: "This was a shocking incident that we recognise is an enormous tragedy for his family and we are being as sensitive as we can in our dealings with them as we look at the circumstances of what happened."

Bosses at the hospital met earlier this week to discuss the incident.

A spokesman said it would review its security policy in the wake of the shooting, but its procedures were in line with NHS hospitals throughout the country.