A renowned children’s heart surgeon who has carried out more than 4,000 open-heart operations throughout his career has been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pride of Britain Awards.
Dr Asif Hasan retired earlier this year after more than 30 years treating children with complex heart conditions at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
Appointed as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital in 1995, Dr Hasan went on to lead its paediatric transplant programme, helping establish Newcastle as an internationally recognised centre for children’s heart surgery and transplantation.
During his career, he performed more than 4,000 open-heart operations, including approximately 3,000 as the lead surgeon.
His contributions included pioneering advances in paediatric heart transplantation and mechanical heart-support devices, which helped keep critically ill children alive while they waited for donor organs.
Beyond his surgical achievements, Dr Hasan trained surgeons who have gone on to become consultants around the world. He also participated in charitable surgical camps overseas, treating children in disadvantaged communities and supporting the development of medical services and training programmes.
Transforming Young Lives
Among the children whose lives were transformed by Dr Hasan’s expertise is Seb Hollingsworth, who was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a serious congenital heart condition.
Seb underwent open-heart surgery under Dr Hasan’s care when he was just four months old.
His mother, Nadine, recalled the anxiety her family experienced during those early months, saying Dr Hasan’s calm and reassuring manner helped them feel confident that their son was receiving the best possible care.
Following a six-week hospital stay, Seb recovered and went on to enjoy an active childhood.
At the age of 13, he needed another open-heart operation, with Dr Hasan once again overseeing his treatment.
Nadine explained that the second procedure presented different challenges because Seb was old enough to understand the risks involved.
She praised Dr Hasan for treating her son with respect, explaining the procedure honestly, answering his questions and involving him in decisions about his care.
Now aged 17, Seb and his family remain deeply grateful for the surgeon’s dedication and the lasting difference he has made to their lives.
Nadine said the family had complete trust in Dr Hasan and would always appreciate everything he had done for them.
Former Pride of Britain Children of Courage recipients Cissy Adamou and Max Johnson are also among the young people who have benefited from his work.
A Career Dedicated to Saving Lives
Accepting the Pride of Britain Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr Hasan said he felt deeply honoured and humbled by the recognition.
He described caring for children with heart conditions and supporting their families as a privilege throughout his career.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the teams at Freeman Hospital, recognising that their support had been essential to his work.
For Dr Hasan, the greatest reward has always been seeing children recover and go on to lead full and happy lives.
NHS chief executive Sir James Mackey praised Dr Hasan’s achievements, describing him as a deserving recipient of the award.
He highlighted the surgeon’s role in saving thousands of lives, supporting fellow medical professionals and pioneering a world-leading paediatric transplant service that has helped establish Newcastle Hospitals’ international reputation.
The Pride of Britain Awards were scheduled to air on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm on Thursday, October 22.
