A LEADING doctor has received national recognition for his work with breast cancer patients at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, and the breast unit at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping.

Ashrat Patel, an associate specialist in the unit, was one of five recipients of the Award for Organisational Work at the annual reception and award ceremony of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer.

This year the awards honoured members of NHS staff, acknowledging their outstanding work, commitment and achievements in the field of breast cancer.

While personally delighted with the award, Mr Patel is equally glad that the unit's work has being praised and highlighted.

He told the Guardian: "It means a lot. With the award the work of the entire breast team is being recognised nationally. There's a lot of things going on and, frankly, I couldn't have done it on my own."

Mr Patel has worked at the Epping breast unit and on the breast ward at Harlow since he arrived in this country from Bombay in 1993.

Among his achievements is the establishment of 24-hour access to the breast teams for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The 'walk-in access' enables patients to bypass their doctor, or a sometimes lengthy wait in casualty, and see a member of the breast team swiftly.

Mr Patel said: "It's a time-saving feature. Obviously when you're ill you don't want to sit for a long time in casualty. It cuts down time."

He has also worked on the production of the book 'together' which features positive comments, letters and stories from breast cancer patients. Work is now underway on a second edition.

And Mr Patel was the man behind a website, dedicated to the unit which, at the time of its laynch, was the first website in the country dedicated to a breast cancer unit.

The site www.eppingbreast.net includes information about the cancer, the unit and its work, and the staff working there.

The award was presented by Joan Ruddock MP, secretary of the all-party parliamentary group, at the House of Commons.

She said: "These awards recogine NHS staff across the UK who have provided a value-added service, beyond the call of duty. They have played an invaluable role in improving the lives of those affected by breast cancer and their families.

"We congratulate Ashrat on his inspiring and tireless efforts."

November 6, 2001 18:01