A CONSULTANT from the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital has been given an NHS hero award.
Consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon Vikram Devaraj was nominated by one of his patients and received his certificate from RD&E NHS Foundation Trust chairman, James Brent. His nominator David May said: "Following the excision of two soft tissue lumps, in April 2012 Vikram met with me at an outpatients appointment during which he told me, one lump had been found as cancerous, a liposarcoma.
"Amidst the shock he reassured me that I was in his care and not to worry. Within two weeks I had a three-hour reconstructive excision and flap replacement operation.
"Mr Devaraj then visited me the following three mornings (two of which he was off-duty) when he checked my condition. His post-operative assurance, skill of his team and leadership has an individuality that makes him my hero as I am sure he is to all his patients and staff."
Chairman of the RD&E NHS Foundation Trust James Brent said: "Mr Devaraj has clearly shown that he goes that extra mile in putting his patients first – a quality that we are very proud of here at the RD&E.
"The professionalism of Mr Devaraj and his team are exemplary and I am delighted to be presenting this certificate to him today: he is a real NHS Hero."
On receiving his award, Mr Devaraj said: "I am delighted but am acutely aware that as a tiny cog in a huge wheel this could be given to a number of people who also deserve public recognition for their work in the NHS. I also appreciate hugely the support my patients and colleagues have given me over the last 30 years since I qualified."
