A GROUNDBREAKING surgeon has been recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for his innovative and life-saving contributions to medicine.

Professor Gordon Carlson, from Prestwich, who is a consultant surgeon at Salford Royal Hospital, has been awarded a CBE for services to general and intestinal failure surgery.

Internationally renowned for his pioneering work in the management of abdominal sepsis and intestinal failure, the father of two is also an Honorary Professor of Surgery at The University of Manchester and of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Salford.

His world-leading work at Salford's intestinal failure unit involves the treatment of complex abdominal infection and intestinal fistulas in patients for across the UK and the world.

Speaking about his CBE, Prof Carlson said he was "amazed and delighted" to have been honoured in this way.

He added: “This award reflects not only my work but also the efforts of the colleagues I have had the privilege to work with, who always put the patient at the centre of everything they do.”

Prof Carlson began his medical career in Manchester and after his training took up house office roles at Salford Royal under Professor Sir Miles Irving and Lord Leslie Turnberg.

He then embarked upon postgraduate surgical training in Newcastle, before returning to Salford as Medical Research Council (MRC) Training Fellow in 1991.

This CBE, however, is the latest in a long line of accolades bestowed on Prof Carlson, who was previously awarded the Intercollegiate Medal in 1996 after a period as a lecturer in surgery at the University of Manchester.

He also became the first surgeon in England to be awarded a prestigious MRC Senior Clinical Fellowship and has received awards from the Royal College of Surgeons and the Danish and Swedish Surgical Societies.

Other recognition has come from NHS England for Prof Carlson's commitment to high quality, patient-centred care, which led to his appointment to the NHS England cross systems sepsis board and as national advisor on surgery for intestinal failure.

Prof Carlson has co-authored national standards of care in intestinal failure, sepsis, anastomotic leakage, pelvic fractures, and high risk general surgery and complications of pelvic surgery.