As professor of healthcare and medical law at Glasgow Caledonian University, she carried out consultancy work for a range of organisations including the World Health Organization, the British Medical Association, the General Medical Council and the Scottish government during a distinguished career.

Professor Stephen Decent, principal and vice-chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “Everyone at Glasgow Caledonian is deeply shocked and saddened by Alison’s passing.

“A much loved and distinguished colleague, Alison was a wonderful ambassador for the University, whose work had a profound, lasting impact on patient care and medical standards. We offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and students.”

In October last year, women’s health minister Jenni Minto MSP praised Professor Britton for her “meticulous work” reviewing the case records of women who endured mesh implant surgery.

She spent two years reviewing the cases of 18 women who received transvaginal mesh implants, for an independent report, that found some women were not given accurate information before undergoing the life-altering procedure. All parties at Holyrood unanimously called for the full acceptance and implementation of all 21 recommendations in the report.

Professor Britton was also a significant contributor to Glasgow School for Business and Society and the university, playing leadership roles throughout her career that produced positive impact to the working lives of colleagues and to the learning experience of students. She was a mentor and friend to many and a passionate leader and advocate of the Aurora development programme for women in higher education.

The Law Society of Scotland’s Public Policy Committee convener, John Mulholland, said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Law Society Committee member Alison Britton.

“Professor Britton was one of the first members of our Public Policy Committee and as convener of our Health and Medical Law Committee for seven years, her contribution will long be remembered.

“Alison’s knowledge, expertise and tenacity were fundamental to the Law Society’s work on important legislation including the Human Tissues Bill and the Transvaginal Mesh Removal Bill – both of which she tackled with her characteristic combination of intellect and humanity.

“She was a familiar and welcome face at the Law Society offices and she will be missed by her friends and colleagues at the Society and across the legal profession. Our sincerest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues.”