A pioneering heart surgeon who has saved and transformed the lives of thousands of children is to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.
Mr Asif Hasan, who retired earlier this year from Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, has dedicated more than three decades to caring for children with complex heart conditions and helping establish Newcastle as one of the world’s leading centres for paediatric heart surgery and transplantation.
Throughout his career, Mr Hasan performed more than 4,000 open-heart operations, including approximately 3,000 procedures as lead surgeon. These figures do not include countless emergency call-outs, lifesaving interventions and out-of-hours procedures undertaken during his career.
Appointed as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in 1995, Mr Hasan went on to lead the hospital’s paediatric transplant programme, helping it become one of the largest and most respected services of its kind in the world.
His pioneering work in paediatric heart transplantation and mechanical heart support devices enabled more children than ever before to survive while waiting for a donor heart. Under his leadership, the Freeman became internationally recognised for innovation in children’s heart care, attracting patients and professionals from across the globe.
Additionally, Asif has trained a new generation of surgeons who are now working as consultants around the world. He has also contributed to charity surgical camps overseas, providing treatment for children in deprived communities, as well as supporting the development of units and training surgeons abroad.
For thousands of families, Mr Hasan is remembered not only for his surgical skill, but also for his compassion, honesty and reassuring manner during life’s most difficult moments.
One of those patients is Seb Hollingsworth, who was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a serious congenital heart defect, shortly after birth in 2009. After experiencing a number of dangerous blue spells, Seb underwent life-saving open-heart surgery at just four months old under the care of Mr Hasan.
His mother, Nadine, said: “Those early months were incredibly frightening, but Asif always had such a calm and reassuring presence. He explained everything clearly and gave us complete confidence that Seb was in the best possible hands.”
Following a six-week stay in hospital, Seb recovered and went on to live a full and active childhood. When he required further open-heart surgery aged 13, Mr Hasan was again there to guide him through the experience.
Nadine said: “The second operation was difficult in a different way because Seb was old enough to understand what was happening and what was at stake.
“Asif treated him like a young adult. He took the time to explain everything honestly, answered all his questions and involved him in conversations about his care. He was incredibly kind and generous with his time.
“As parents, we trusted him completely. He has had a huge impact on our family and we will always be grateful for everything he has done.”
Among the many children whose lives Mr Hasan has touched are previous Pride of Britain winners Cissy Adamou and Max Johnson, both of whom benefitted from his expertise and care.
Mr Hasan said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award.
“Caring for children with heart conditions and supporting their families has been a privilege throughout my career. Any success I have achieved has only been possible because of the incredible teams I have worked alongside at the Freeman Hospital over many years.
“Seeing children go on to live full and happy lives has always been the greatest reward. I am grateful to every patient, family and colleague who has been part of that journey.”
Sir James Mackey, NHS Chief Executive, said: “Asif has dedicated his life’s work to transforming the lives of children and their families, and I couldn’t think of a more worthy winner for this award.
“Not only has he helped save thousands of lives, but he has championed the work of others, pioneered a world-leading paediatric transplant service, and put Newcastle Hospitals firmly on the map.
“He is a truly remarkable individual – compassionate, kind and respected – a testament to everything the NHS stands for and the staff who come to work every day to improve the lives of others, and we’d all like to wish him huge congratulations on receiving this award.”
Rob Harrison, acting chief executive at Newcastle Hospitals, added: “This award is a fitting recognition of an extraordinary career and an exceptional individual.
“Asif’s contribution to children’s heart surgery and transplantation has been nothing short of remarkable. He has transformed thousands of lives through his clinical expertise, innovation and commitment to providing the very best care for children and their families. On behalf of everyone at Newcastle Hospitals, I would like to congratulate Asif on this thoroughly deserved honour.”
Although Mr Hasan has now stepped away from clinical practice, the impact of his life’s work continues to be felt in the thousands of children he helped save, the families he supported through some of their hardest moments, and the generations of surgeons who continue his work today.
Watch The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises on Thursday 22nd October at 8.00pm on ITV1 and ITVX
