Annual Report and Accounts 2012/13 - Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Annual Report and Accounts 2012/13 - Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
Annual Report and Accounts 2012/13 - Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital
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1. Our Year<br />
<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Devon</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Exeter</strong> NHS Foundation Trust<br />
<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Accounts</strong> <strong>2012</strong>/<strong>13</strong><br />
11<br />
Leading RD&E<br />
Surgeon wins NHS<br />
Heroes Award<br />
Consultant plastic <strong>and</strong> reconstructive<br />
surgeon, Mr Vikram Devaraj, is<br />
an NHS Hero. Nominated for the<br />
award by one of his patients, Vikram<br />
received his certificate from Trust<br />
Chairman, James Brent.<br />
NHS Heroes was a recognition scheme<br />
launched to coincide with the NHS’<br />
64th birthday in July <strong>2012</strong>. It ran until<br />
mid-September <strong>and</strong> was designed to<br />
celebrate the extraordinary work that<br />
staff in the NHS carry out every day.<br />
David May, Mr Devaraj’s nominator,<br />
said: “Following the excision of two<br />
soft tissue lumps, in April <strong>2012</strong>,<br />
Vikram met with me at an outpatients<br />
appointment. He told me one lump<br />
had been found as cancerous, a<br />
liposarcoma. Amidst the shock he<br />
reassured me that I was in his care <strong>and</strong><br />
not to worry. Within two weeks I had<br />
a three hour reconstructive excision<br />
<strong>and</strong> flap replacement operation. Mr<br />
Devaraj then visited me the following<br />
three mornings (two of which he<br />
was off duty) when he checked my<br />
condition, healing <strong>and</strong> drips. His postoperative<br />
assurance, skill of his team<br />
<strong>and</strong> leadership has an individuality<br />
that makes him my hero as I am sure<br />
he is to all his patients <strong>and</strong> staff.”<br />
On receiving his award, Mr Devaraj<br />
said: “I am delighted to receive this<br />
award but am acutely aware that as<br />
a tiny cog in a huge wheel this could<br />
be given to a number of people who<br />
also deserve public recognition for<br />
their work in the NHS. I also appreciate<br />
hugely the support my patients <strong>and</strong><br />
colleagues have given me over the last<br />
30 years since I qualified.”