A consultant Surgeon at Hinchingbrooke Hospital has been honoured at the country's leading awards and "Oscars equivalent", which recognises excellence in surgical training.

Adrian Harris, who works for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, was one of only a handful of surgeons shortlisted in the Silver Scalpel Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT)  Awards.

Over the past two decades, the prestigious Silver Scalpel Award has played a vital part in recognising trainers who go the extra mile for their trainees while at the same time promoting the highest standards of surgical care.

Mr Harris represented the East of England in the award and said it is a "very great honour" to have been nominated despite not winning.

"ASiT is a great organisation when it comes to supporting and promoting surgical training, with these awards considered the 'Oscars' equivalent in their field," he said.

"The Silver Scalpel awards recognise consultants who are very much focussed on training, and also gives recognition to those trainees who are nominating."

READ MORE: Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospital pick up award

Mr Harris, a laparoscopic upper GI surgeon (specialising in keyhole and other upper abdominal surgery) at Hichingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon, was nominated by his senior registrar, Jason George.

Having attended the ASiT annual conference dinner, Mr Harris was among six nominees from the NHS country-wide shortlisted for the award.

This was the culmination of many months of interview, preparation and judging panel liaison with Mr Harris' senior colleagues as part of a rigorous process.

Mr Harris follows in the very capable footsteps of two former North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust colleagues, Jo Reed and Szabi Gergely, who have also been nominated in recent years.

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Mr George added: "Mr Harris is arguably the best surgeon-trainer I have encountered.

"I have been lucky enough to observe many excellent surgeons, but few are gifted in terms of their ability to impart and share their knowledge.

"Mr Harris has an extraordinary talent to demystify complex steps and manoeuvres. I nominated him for this reason, but also because his training ethos extends beyond the operating theatre into many other areas."

Peterborough City Hospital, Rutland and Stamford Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon are all part of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.