HE IS an inspirational and innovative surgeon who has literally held their hearts in his hands and saved their lives.

His specialist skill has seen him help fix thousands of hearts over the past 15 years, giving hope to seriously ill patients and their families who feared they may never leave hospital.

But yesterday Southampton General Hospital bid an emotional farewell to consultant cardiac surgeon Marcus Haw, who is jetting off to America to develop a children’s cardiac unit.

The Families of Ocean Ward charity presented him with an album packed full of messages and photos of some of the families he has helped over the years.

Sam Prior, whose son Aaron was born with severe heart defects and underwent four major heart operations led by Mr Haw, said: “He has touched the lives of so many families in this region.

“He will be remembered by everyone as an amazing, innovative and inspirational surgeon who has been able to give so many babies, children and young adults the amazing gift of life.

“Aaron is ten years old now and living life to the max and we can’t thank him enough for making our family complete.”

Mr Haw has been asked to develop the surgical side of the children’s cardiac unit at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Michigan.

He first came to Southampton as a registrar in 1980 and then returned 15 years ago as a surgeon.

His departure comes just weeks before the children’s heart unit, which he has fought so hard to save, discovers its fate on July 4.

He joined the Daily Echo’s Have a Heart campaign which saw more than 250,000 people sign the petition to keep the unit open and he will be keeping a close eye on the decision.

Mr Haw said: “It’s quite exciting to have the freedom to develop the surgical side of the children’s cardiac unit and try and replicate what we have in Southampton.

“In no way did I go looking to move and this has absolutely nothing to do with the reorganisation of children’s heart services in the NHS.

“There’s only one unit I would want to work in in England and that is Southampton.

“My time in Southampton has been an extraordinary experience, with incredible support from my colleagues and the patients. I will miss them all.”