HE is the consultant who gave a Southampton pensioner life-saving heart surgery.

Dr James Wilkinson, 48, is a consultant interventional cardiologist who works at Southampton General Hospital.

He has been nominated by David Morris, 76, from Woolston for the Daily Echo’s Readers Choice Award as part of University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust’s Hospital Heroes Awards.

David was diagnosed with angina four years ago and he was due to have a stent put in his heart.

However, after being assessed by James, he was then told the situation was far more serious and that he needed heart surgery.

David said: “If it hadn’t have been for him I wouldn’t have had the surgery.

“He explained everything to me and was always very friendly.

“I was really looked-after, and all the team did a wonderful job.”

James, from Lymington, who has worked at the general hospital for eight years, said: “I do put a lot of time into getting patient feedback and I always treat my patients as I would want my own mum and dad to be treated.

“It is really nice to be nominated and get thanked but I would always do my best even if I wasn’t thanked. It is a very challenging but rewarding job, every day is completely unpredictable.”

James added: “Everyone who works here is key – without my secretary or the porters I couldn’t do my job.

“The NHS has increasing financial constraints but it is nice to balance that with a bit of recognition.”

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