News

Pelican Director of Surgery and Trustee Professor Bill (Richard John) Heald has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2012, for services to UK surgery internationally.

Professor Heald is known across the world for his ground-breaking work in cancer treatment and in particular for the development of improved bowel cancer surgery, now considered internationally as the benchmark treatment for rectal cancer. Thanks to the pioneering work of Professor Heald and the surgical team at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, the life expectancy and quality of life for many bowel cancer patients is far greater than it was just ten years ago.

A renowned teacher of surgical technique Professor Heald continues to deliver his teaching programme across the continents. He has performed over 400 live operative demonstrations (via video link) in more than 30 countries, and has lectured to surgeons in countries from North and South America, to the Middle East and the Far East, Australia, Africa and Europe.

In addition to his many British honours, Professor Heald has also received awards for services to cancer surgery from the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Russia and USA, and holds a number of senior honorary positions abroad at hospitals and faculties in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.

Speaking from Heidelberg where he is currently delivering a two-day programme of lectures and live-link surgery, Professor Heald said, “This is really a recognition of the work that Pelican Cancer Foundation has been able to promote in recent years, particularly across the world.

“I’m not aware of any other surgeon who has received an honour for services to UK surgery internationally, which is the citation for this award.

“We hope very much that the local population will continue to support our work which really is changing the outlook and expectations of rectal cancer patients across the world.”

As well as his international work Professor Heald continues to lecture in the UK and to deliver his on-going programme of surgical master-classes at Pelican. The next Steps of TME takes place on 5 September 2012, and for more information about the course and other Pelican courses visit our course information.