Iconic Films

2 for 1 tickets to Casablanca, this coming Monday

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Sunday Times

March 16, 2008

Handy Henry Marsh: brain doctor uses DIY drill

Jessica Jonzen

The young man lies back on the hospital trolley and waits patiently as his head is secured in place with a vice.

Marian Dolishny’s nervous smile and worried, flicking eyes, betray the certain knowledge that what he is about to undergo will be anything but pleasant. But he also knows that time is short: if the enormous tumour inside his head is not removed, it will soon kill him.

Minutes later the team of doctors, including one of Britain’s most eminent brain surgeons, begins to break into the skull of their fully conscious patient – with a £30 Bosch PSR960 handy-man’s cordless drill.

Amazingly, and despite the low-voltage tool running out of power halfway through the process, Dolishny’s operation is a success, with his tumour skilfully excavated at the hands of Henry Marsh.

The procedure, captured as part of a documentary to be screened on BBC2 later this month, was a routine triumph for Marsh, who regularly takes time off as a consultant at St George’s hospital in south London to travel to Ukraine and save lives despite having access only to primitive tools.

In Britain, the same operation would only be undertaken with the benefit of a £30,000 compressed air medical drill.

Speaking about the trials of his visits to Ukraine, Marsh said: “I’m not recommending that we should all use Bosch do-it-yourself drills in England, but it shows how with improvisation you can achieve a lot.”

Marsh’s life-saving exploits in Ukraine began 15 years ago when he visited a state hospital in the former Soviet republic to give a series of lectures. Little could have prepared him for the conditions endured by both doctors and patients. “It was like being in a horror film,” he said. “It was so awful it didn’t seem real.”

Patients with benign tumours, which would have been diagnosed early and quickly dealt with in Britain, were only treated once they had caused blindness or were bulging grotesquely off the sides of patients’ heads.

In Ukraine so little money is invested in the state health system that Marsh has to drill through the skulls of patients under local anaesthetic because no one is sufficiently trained to fully sedate them.

Marsh said he had watched aghast as patients died while doctors were locked in bureaucratic meetings. “I couldn’t bear to stand by and do nothing,” said Marsh, 58. “A Ukrainian doctor told me I couldn’t do anything to help but I wasn’t prepared to accept that.”

Then he met Igor Petrovich, a Ukrainian neurosurgeon who wanted to fight against his country’s bankrupt medical system. Impressed by his willingness to speak honestly about the atrocious conditions in a climate where no one criticised the state, Marsh championed Petrovich and organised for him to come to Britain to learn more.

Since meeting Petrovich, Marsh has been making at least two private trips a year to work voluntarily with him at his neurology clinic in Kiev. On each visit, he takes a raft of disused equipment that has been thrown out by the NHS, and helps Petrovich make diagnoses and perform operations.

“I’ve taught him everything I know,” said Marsh, who has given Petrovich an advanced compressed air drill to replace his Bosch. “He’s now able to do things that I can’t.”

For all its failings, some aspects of the Ukrainian health service compare favourably with the NHS, Marsh said.

At the time of their first meeting, Marsh was a senior surgeon at the specialist Atkinson Morley hospital in Wimbledon, operating on 10-15 patients a week. “I was completely free; I made clinical judgments and was trusted to treat patients to the best of my ability.”

Today, though, their roles have more or less reversed, he said. “Igor is now doing a huge amount of operating, far more than me, while I, as with all senior doctors on the NHS, am struggling under a tsunami of regulation and bureaucracy.”

Working in Ukraine has also brought the wastefulness of the NHS into focus for Marsh. Drill bits used in brain surgery that cost the NHS £80 a piece are thrown away after a single use to help prevent the spread of prion-related diseases such as CJD.

In Petrovich’s practice, a drill bit will be used for up to 10 years, perfectly safely. “We never used to throw them away in the UK,” says Marsh. “They would be sterilised and reused. Now they just end up as landfill, and Igor’s rates of infection are no worse then ours. It’s insane.

“I am one of the government advisers on prion disease. In the case of the skull perforators, skull and scalp is not an at-risk tissue for surgical treatments. So that argument does not apply.”

The English Surgeon will be shown on BBC2 on March 30

Makeshift jobs that saved lives

— In an emergency far from hospital, improvisation can be the only way to save life.

— In 1995 two doctors on a flight from Hong Kong to Britain operated on a woman with a collapsed lung using a scalpel, a knife and fork and a coathanger to push in a catheter.

— In Iraq in 2004, an American medical journalist removed a bullet from a marine’s head with a drill used to put up a tent.

— In 2003 Aron Ralston, an American climber, cut off his arm with a penknife after it became trapped under a boulder in Utah.

— The following year Ines Ramirez Perez, a Mexican, delivered her son by caesarean section with the help of three stiff drinks and a kitchen knife.

Just as a blog intruder..I'd just like to say I've had the utmost privilege to work with Mr. Marsh at a private hospital based in Wimbledon. He is such an enormous character at the hospital and all of the staff know of his fantastic achievements in very disadvantaged areas (a majority know of his work in Sudan where he travels most Christmas'). I couldn't agree more in reference to a knighthood or some recognition of his fantastic work. It was mainly this surgeon who made the Atkinson Morley Hospital worldfamous for its work and advancements in neurosurgery. He even managed to hold a majority of his clinics even while suffering with a broken leg! But I think he is a truely amazing inspiration, and anyone who knows him personally or of his work would certainly agree.

John, Leicester, UK

An if anyone is still reading this blog...Mr. Marsh does have a particular charity which supports a majority of his work. I'm sure all of the details can be found from his secretary. Unfortunately is not very well publicised!

John, Leicester, UK

An incredibly moving film that was both uplifiting and depressing. It was uplifting because of the determination and skill of Dr Marsh and Dr Petrovich, despite such difficult working conditions. The quiet dignity of the patients waiting in the corridor was also amazing.

But the film was depressing because of the suffering and poor prognosis of patients whose diagnosis came too late.

Overall, though, the film gave great hope for humanity. I wish I could contribute to Dr Petrovich's hospital.

Martin Barker, Aberdeen, UK

i have just finished looking at the program " the english surgeon" It sure bought tears to my eyes - What a fantastic - fantastic man. To think that the people in charge of your country made Alex Furguson and also some of those two bit singers and actors, Knights. What a mockery, you are being run by a bunch of silly boys doing mens jobs. I have just seen two real men and could not be mistaken

Ted Grimshaw, St Ouen, Jersey

I was very moved by the programme and I am really struggling to put Ulyana's dire plight out of my mind. I would so like to contribute to an appeal to help finance a hospital in the Ukraine. These lovely warm people really deserve so much more and I felt so touched by the amazing work of Henry Marsh and Igor Petrovich. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Denise , Northampton, UK

Is there any way that we could in some small way contribute financially to the hospital Igor Petrovich is hoping to build?

Jan, Newbury, UK

I would like to pay tribute to Henry Marsh the ultimate re-cycler, not only giving of his time for the last 15 year helping the people of Ukraine and at the same time holding a mirror to us for the shameful waste and selfishness of are own society.With utter humility he and his colleague dr petrovich has shone a light in my selfish life and humbled me to tears when the programme finished thank you. This is the first time in the 55yrs of my life I have been so moved to respond to anything, Mr Marsh is a true saint more power to his elbow .

stephen cardwell, corwen north wales,

I agree with all comments made. It makes one so angry that our world is so crazy that we cannot follow the example of Dr Marsh and do good in this caring and humane way - instead the rich countries spend millions going to war and wasting resources.
I also support the call for a knighthood for Henry Marsh - at the very least it would be a recognition of his work.

J.Wyatt, Hastings,

My son, aged 10, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at Gt Ormond St Hospital. Henry Marsh, our "second opinion", was the only person in the country prepared to operate due to its dangerous position encroaching on the brainstem. When he successfully removed as much as he could of the tumour, we were told he was practically doing cartwheels in the corridor at the Atkinson Morley Hospital where we were. He used to come in on Sundays in his bicycle clips to check on his patients - a lovely quiet, modest man. We were on the same ward as Tanya, the lovely Ukranian girl he brought to England at his own expense to try and save her life. Henry Marsh saved our son's life, amongst probably hundreds of others. He will always be the most special man, and I wish there was some way of recognising his contribution to so many.

Janet Phillips, Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK

I also was very moved buy the Programe and watched most of it even though i am squeemish watching operations and usually turn this sort of thing off but turned to bbc 2 not knowing this programme was on.

As I lost my father to an Inoperable brain Tumour 18 years ago the content interested me

I was thinking that if only this wonderfull man was under his care at time he may have stood a chance Dr marsh is a real Star in this world and i may nominate him for a knighthood

Dennis wilson, Dover, kent

Stumbled across this programme late last night and was amazed by the skill and craft of both surgeons. What really made a real impact was the humility and affection showed by Henry Marsh. You do not get to meet many men these days whose concern for their fellow man is so deep.

The programme kept me awake last night , wondering at the man's dedication to his profession and ultimately to his patients. If only we were all as caring for our fellows, the world would be a better place...no it would be heaven!!

Well done Dr. Marsh - let us know what we can do to help your work.

Paul James, Cardiff, UK

What a wonderful man. I have a benign brain tumour on my brainstem and have been told it is inoperable but if they ever changed their minds, there is only one person I would seek out Henry Marsh what a fantastic human being and Doctor. The british government should take a good look at this man and learn from his shefless attitude.

Val, inverness, UK

Henry Marsh is an inspiration. His humanity has motivated me to become a more caring person. Can I thank the BBC for this wonderful programme and for introducing us to this unusual man. I'm sure he would not be interested in a knighthood, he would just want to get on with it!

John Boon, Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK

I had the pleasure & the privilege of working with Henry Marsh back in the 1980's. He was, & is, one of the best doctors i ever worked with in my 16yrs in the NHS.
He was kind, compassionate & conscientious, & as all great men are, very humble.(he of course, would be mortified to hear himself spoken of in this way)
This was a superb programme, but why it was hidden away late at night on BBC2 is a mystery. It deserved a much bigger audience.

janet, Edinburgh, UK

A trully remarkable man indeed and I gather he is a very skilled furniture maker in his spare time (when he is not being worked to excess by the demands of the NHS and flying off self - funded to the Ukraine) and his education includes a first at Oxford in Politics Philosophy and Economics at Oxford. This man is an example of why our taxes are never wasted on graduates and show why the Labour Government must hang its head in shame for its approach to charging students for their education. Innovative and skilled people such as Henry Marsh are the reason Britain can still claim to be great.

DOMINIC WHITE, London, London

What a wonderful man who is helping so many people out of love. I hope he reads these messages so that he can see how much people have been affected by watching this amazing programme. I wish I had spent my life doing things for other people as he has done. I feel ashamed of the little I have done.

Pam McGibbon, Stirling,

Henry Marsh is everything that we should (well, in the past maybe) be proud about our nation. Skilled, modest, honest and generous. Hopefully, Henry's example may re-envigorate my partner's (albeit disgoustingly low paid) career in the NHS. If only her work 'mates' weren't so racially prejudiced against us English stock.

Jak, Forres, Moray

i watched the programme on bbc2 and i could only reach one conclusion, that is the man Henry Marsh uses his wonderful skills along with great compassion.Some of the so called famous sports stars and film and music stars should drop to there knees and BOW to this great man.HE SHOULD BE FIRST IN LINE FOR A KNIGHTHOOD.GOD BLESS THIS VERY HUMBLE MAN.His dedication and meekness moved me to tears.May he enjoy a long life,along with his Ukranian counterpart Igor Petrovich

WYN LEADBETTER, cannock staffs, england

Humbling and evocative. The kindness, the understanding, the joy and the sadness all went to make this film an emotional roller-coaster that you didn't want to get off. And what lovely genuine people the Ukrainians are....TV at its best.

Jon Douglas, Leeds, Yorkshire

A wonderful programme about a wonderful man, I have though of nothing else since watching it. We are truly spoilt here in the UK, it makes me feel ashamed.

A Smith, Bradford,

Dr Henry Marsh is one amazing man, I broke down in tears
last night watching this amazing program. How these poor people can still live in this way what hope of surving they have but thanks to Dr Henry Marsh and his team at least they some.
How much money we waste in thsi country is sickening.

Rebecca Lloyd-Shapland, New Barnet , London

This programme, the patients and, especially, the magnificent Henry Marsh were unforgettable.

kathymac, London, uk

This is one of the best programmes I've ever seen on the Beeb. All praise to the series producer and the programme makers - it's a joy to still see that quality programmes can still make it onto "mainstream" telly even while the bosses at the Big British Castle think all programmes should be made solely for the lowest common denominator.

Nick Evans, London, UK

This probably will not mean a lot to Henry Marsh, but I think he should be knighted.
Unlike a lot of consultants in the medical profession who spend most of their time up their own backsides.
This man is a true rarity.
If there is god up there somewhere then I hope he blesses this man for everything he has done.
A very rare diamond indeed.

Matthew, Bucks, UK

I also watched the documentary last night; what extraordinary human beings they are. I was humbled by their humanity and social conscious. Henry Marsh; is so deserving of a Knight Hood, rather than these Football Managers who are paid such ridiculous amounts of money. These two men are a great example to us all and we should be grateful for all they do to assist in the treatment to alleviate human suffering. God bless you both and your families.

lorraine watterson, liverpool,

What an extraordinary programme about an extraordinary man. I think a Knighthood is in order for this superb doctor/surgeon for services to mankind and humanity. Rather more deserving of such recognition than, say, Sir Salman Rushdie or Sir Michael Parkinson.

David, Guildford, Surrey

i watched the programme last night and in my mind this man and his colleague,dr. petrovich are doing a superb job .to see money squandered on the speaker of the house of commons ,hundreds of thousands of pounds(yes i know we have problems here in the uk)but some of these people are dying because of late diagnosis or they cant afford $50 to pay for something that might save their lives.its a scandal.it was humbling viewing watching the doctors visiting the house of the young girl they saved and having dinner there with the family and freinds. if the service was better the young lady with the tick bite that will go blind and probably die in the next few years would have lived a full life. these men are honourable men and are not doing this for any self gain but to help people who need it. in my mind you are true heroes.

david james robinson, ravenstown, uk

I have now watched the programme the NHS wastes some money itâ€™s not an ideal situation but when you have huge organisations you will always get wastages. However, after watching this I really appreciate that careless of wealth in this country we have healthcare that gives free access for all and you get to see highly skilled people like Henry Marsh.

What I found most amazing was the man. What a nice guy he was if only more people took the â€˜we are nothing if we do not help othersâ€™ attitude.

Adrian Harbour, Twyford,

My older sister went to work at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock, TX, immediately after her graduation from nursing college in Saskatoon, SK. After several years of course work in Canada that took her through and taught her the ins and outs of Canada's socialized medical system, she was shocked at what she saw: bed pans, needles, IV drip stands and virtually anything else charged to single patients was thrown out after one use. In Canada all such items would be autoclaved to sterilize them and then reused - at huge cost savings to the government and, by extension, to the patient (the taxpayer). The lack of logic in for-pay health care systems continues to boggle me, and after having lived in Ukraine for the last 6.5 years and seen the country's medical system work firsthand, I'm not at all surprised by this article. If you can afford to here, paying cash helps grease the wheels of socialized medicine. If you can't, a benign tumour, a case of the flu or whatever ends up being a lot worse.

Paul, Kyiv, Ukraine

I know a very experienced and skillful Anesthetist in Ukraine. I think it is wrong for him to claim that Ukraine (Vinnitsa home of Peragova) does not have skilled anesthetists. The push for technology in the west reminds me of the Monty python skit "I see you have the machine that goes Ping... as teh doctors try to tell the mother that all the technology used to help deliver a baby is the main show ad the mother is just the patient.

Peragova, Vinnitsa, Ukraine

When a person goes to Madison, Wi he/she is greeted with a view of many health insurance companies that try to control costs by overseeing the many medical facilities in the state.

If I go to the lone Dentist in a small town nearby the receptionist checks me in, then turns into the dental assistant, and later into the medical records clerk. Naturally, his range of services is limited to general dentistry. Payment is by check or cash as most people can afford his low rates. He does not take insurance cards. Unfortunately he is nearing retirement.

Now the U.S. is being promised "free" health care by several presidential candidates. At least this will help our construction industry as it builds more offices to house the new layer of of government supervision.

Mike P, Baraboo, WI

Henry Marsh, what a fantastic change to read an article about someone doing the right thing. You have inspired me. Good on you Marsh! I would like to read more articles about the incredible things people do in our world, with humility.

Colin, Jan Juc, Australia