“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award."
A pioneering heart surgeon who has saved thousands of children’s lives received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Pride of Britain Awards.
Asif Hasan, who retired earlier in 2026 from Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, dedicated more than 30 years to treating children with complex heart conditions and helping establish Newcastle as a leading international centre for paediatric heart surgery and transplantation.
During his career, Mr Hasan performed more than 4,000 open-heart operations, including approximately 3,000 as lead surgeon.
These figures do not include the countless emergency call-outs, lifesaving interventions and out-of-hours procedures he undertook throughout 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 worldwide.
His pioneering work in paediatric heart transplantation and mechanical heart support devices helped more children survive while waiting for a donor heart.
Under his leadership, the Freeman Hospital gained international recognition for its innovative approach to children’s heart care, attracting patients and medical professionals from around the world.
Mr Hasan has also helped train a new generation of surgeons, many of whom now work as consultants internationally.
He has also participated in charity surgical camps overseas, treating children in deprived communities while supporting the development of medical units and training surgeons abroad.
For thousands of families, his legacy extends beyond his clinical expertise.
Mr Hasan is remembered for his compassion, honesty and reassuring manner when supporting parents and children through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Among the children whose lives he has touched are previous Pride of Britain winners Cissy Adamou and Max Johnson, both of whom benefited from his expertise and care.
Reflecting on the recognition, 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.”
