HE is the Southampton neonatal consultant “who did everything he could” to care for baby Chloe before she passed away at seven months old.

Alok Sharma has been nominated as a hospital hero by Danielle and Keith Medhurst, Chloe’s parents, who describe the consultant based at the Princess Anne Hospital as “one of the most modest and most compassionate human beings ever”.

Alok cared for Chloe after she was born prematurely with chronic lung disease at 24 weeks old.

Alongside a team of nurses and junior doctors he supported the couple and cared for Chloe until she passed away after she contracted a virus in September.

Danielle said: “Alok cared for our daughter like she was his own child.

“He hugged us, he cried with us, he celebrated our victories.

“He is one of the most modest human beings I have ever met, and most compassionate.

“I saw him numerous times come in, hours after his shift ended, to thank all of the nurses for their hard work.

“Though we lost our daughter in the end, he kept her alive for the biggest chunk of her life.

“He got her past the hardest things we thought we’d have to face.

“Without him, we wouldn’t have had her.”

Now Danielle and Keith have nominated Alok for the Daily Echo Reader’s Choice Award.

The award is part of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Heroes awards and we are searching for our very own hospital unsung hero.

Alok said: “Danielle’s words are very kind and humbling.

“She is an amazing woman and I can’t imagine what they have had to go through.

“Danielle is such a positive and resilient woman and Chloe was a baby who fought.

“The real credit should go to the nurses and junior doctors.

“It was such a huge journey and I’m glad I could be a part of it.

“I saw Danielle a month a go and I just gave her a big hug.”

You still have time to nominate your hospital hero. A volunteer, a nurse working long hours, or a midwife bringing a new born baby into the world, are all worthy of a nomination.

To nominate, email georgia.jackson@dailyecho.co.uk, call 02380 284472, or write to Georgia Jackson, Daily Echo, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX.