Hi. I watched the documentary on bbc 2 about Henry Marsh and I think he is an extraordinary man. The way he has helped those t patients in Ukraine is truly amazing. You are definatly a hero to me as well as many other people. I will truly talk about you and your work and achievements to everyone I know. You deserve to be recognised by the whole world rather than just politicians, terrorists, celebratities and sports stars. I also have great admiration for your assistant Igor and any other staff that has helped you in your operations.

Kulbir Singh, Eastleigh, UK-England

I watched the program and it was so touching, and humbling at the same time. Dr Henry Marsh is an incredible man and God Bless him .

kate, Wicklow, Ireland

I also watched the BBC 2 documentary and found it very moving. What a great man and what a great job he does in difficult circumstances for the people of Ukraine and in Britain. His words were very poignant at the end aswell, 'What are we if we don't choose to help people' or something along those lines.

Ben, Wirral, UK

Henry Marsh what an amazing man,i've just watched "the english doctor " on bbc2 and would like to say to henry that he should be proud .don't blame yourself for the little girl losing her life (Natasha i think).A truly remarkable one....you are just a man ,some people cannot be saved .sad though that is.Henry Marsh i salute you.

karl, penzance, cornwall

I will second Mark's view. I too have been operated on by Henry Marsh. Great man who does some great things

Neil , London, UK

Wait until the Bob and Tom Show (www.bobandtom.com) hears about this! Bosch is one of their key sponsors!

(Hey Chick, there's the new direction for your next commerical about Bosch!)

Skip, Findlay, OH/USA

My friends, I had an oportunity to work together with these doctors. Yes, Home Drills are still used in many hospitals here, in Ukrane as well as in many places in former Soviet Union contries by neurosurgeons and orthopaedists. It doesn't matter-if you need to make a hole-you can do it with simple equipement. Indeed, it is much comfortable to stuck in the traffic sitting in Bentley than in Lada! Dont believe in the local anesthesia use only for these patients, this is not true. My speciality is anaesthesiology :)

Kirill, Kiev, Ukraine

The real question is why is theNHS wasting £30k on drills when they can get them from B&Q for £30?

Daniel, Newcastle, UK

People need to relize that skill and equipment are factors and not price tag. I hope free healthcare comes to the masses and stories like this will advance that goal.

Thank you doctor.
-The Hypocratic Oath, you have demonstrated!

Bob Harris, Middletown, Connecticut / USA

Bosch is a good quality tool. What's the problem?

Derek, Seattle, USA

we agree that this surgeon is truly amazing but it remains a disgrace according to jay whitlow that there remains such conditions in nearby Ukraine and jay whitlow is afraid to hear of what other tools are being used. thanks to Miss May's stapler we know the sutures are being tightly secured in the Ukraine.

eric y, wichita, kansas/usa

Dan ,since when is Minsk in the Ukraine ?? Dont you know where you are ?????????
Antoine , Warsaw, Poland

Antoine T Martin, warsaw, Poland

The man has skill which transcends tool quality. This is true brilliance!

Doug Brenner, St. Paul, USA

Nurse.... hot Glue Gun, Stat.

Slipper, Los Angeles, CA

If the battery goes flat half way, can I suggest a fully charged back-up battery. They are available at a modest cost and, in fact, some drills are supplied with a back-up battery.

C Byrne, Pinner, UK

Has anybody seen my stapler?

Miss May, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

In 1989 when I was only 14, Henry Marsh removed a Giant Multi-astro-cell cytoma (Very nasty Brain Tubour) I had. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here today! I think this man is incredible and after giving me life (which without him I wouldn't have today),now the man is saving people in such under-developed and poor countries like the Ukraine regularly for free even with the only equipment possible albeit a household tool - the man deserves a medal of honour.

Mark, England,

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful - for the people he helps and the surgeon's good basic common sense.

I don't suppose his patients give a jot whether it's a Bosch or any other brand, as long as the surgeon can use it to do a good job for them.

Second point , but still relevant, how many more surgical procedures could be done with local anaesthetics - I am one of those lucky people who are always as fit as can be after a general anaesthetic, but if possible, I still prefer a local. Much less fuss and bother, and I don't have to wait for hours and hours for permission to drink something!

Marita Gray, Mulhouse, France

making do and saving lives is what it is all about.

benjamin barr, north wilkesboro, usa/nc

I'm sure there are many Ukrainians who will be less concerned about the brand of drill, than the fact that they are still breathing. Literally, in this case, more power to you, Mr Marsh!

N Cook, London, UK

As a retired dentist I know how supply companies hike prices for equipment otherwise available for a fraction of the price.
I think NHS managers should be given a salary which includes procurement purchases. Thus the amount they earn will depend on how much they don't spend on the hospital gear.

maurice, tauranga, New Zealand

They could try raising taxes locally to increase the reliablity of the equipment. Note to the NHS, how much do our drills cost and if they are more than £30 justify the value to the taxpayer

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

Since when is Minsk in Ukraine, Dan?

Erika, Hannover, Germany

So a £30 drill can do the job and the NHS pays £30K for a compressed-air medical drill. If cheaper alturnatives work why are the NHS paying silly money (£30K) for a drill?

Dennis

Dennis, Norfolk,

is he worried about the damage to the skull or the drill ???????

saud, riyadh,

£30 as against £30,000?
This story shows there's great scope for the NHS to save millions!

Brian Clacey, Croydon, UK

Great add for Bosch,will B&Q be stocking the medical drill bits.DIY brain surgery.
God know some of them could do with it

Dan, Minsk, Ukraine

I thought that the standard hand operated drill with a bit of chrome
applied to it was a medical instrument, that is used as the standard way of drilling through a skull .
Very precise control , avoiding drilling into brain

Bruce, Gisborne, New Zealand

I liked this line:

'This enables him to talk to them to ensure that he is not doing any permanent damage as he drills'.

I suppose if the patient starts dribbling uncontrollably then he knows the drill bit's too long.

B Andage, Manchester, UK

I would very much like to get the advertising accout for Bosch. The commercial possibilities are quite wonderful.

Here' a few - " Which cordless drill to use - It's a 'no-brainer!- Bosch every time!"

" Avoid the headache of inferior products - use a Bosch brain drill." It's good for woodwork too!

" We don't do many lobotomies - but we do them as well as downpipes,and cabinet making. What other product is so versatile? Bosch for brains- it's a no brainer." etc.

Over to Bosch.....

NIcholas Partridge, perth, australia

If he runs out of power he can use the simple manual hand held type with a small rotary cog which drives the drill by hand. My Dad has one in his tool shed. This is also the eco friendly solution.

Tim, HK, HK

first prize for misleading headline.

TOm, London,

Nope, not April 1st yet, this is genuine! I suppose the medical drill bits are what count, anyway- that and the quality of the conversation.

G Davidson, Kashiwa, Japan

hmmm

but it depends on which retail outlet you buy it from.....

shaakirah kasuji, Batley, West Yorkshire

as a surgeon myself there is no doubt that the prices charged for equipment including screws and plates is ridiculous. A factor of 100 to 1000 times is added by companies for equipment that is almost exactly the same as at the hardware store.

Tim , Brisbane, Australia

Tim Dwyer, Brisbane, Australia

A drill is a drill is a drill. This surgeon is performing heroics, mucking in with his expertise to help patients who otherwise would have a bleak future. He ought to be celebrated, not denigrated as N.AG. from London thinks.
Keeping people conscious during brain surgery is the best way to make sure such delicate operations aren't going wrong.

Nikolai, Somerset, UK

Good for him. It's not like you can find modern surgical tools in the Ukraine.

Phill, The Wirral, England

What would be better, to let those people die from cancer? Get over it, and stop being so PC.

Neel, Oxford, UK

Even if the drill's warranty does not cover medical procedures, and given that an extra needs to be purchased for when the other one's battery is on charge, there are huge potential cost-savings for the NHS. Use of this device for appropriate neurosurgical, orthopaedic (and possibly even podiatric surgery) would probably produce enough of a surplus to fund a whole additional tier of managers/advisors.

Sue, Felpham,

Has he tried the Black & Decker ? It's a lot cheaper.

malcolm geary, london, UK