Top award for leukaemia survivor

Matt Rutter works in the lung function unit where he was treated

A man whose life-saving treatment as a teenager inspired him to pursue a career in the NHS has won a top award.

Matt Rutter, 25, a physiologist at Addenbrooke's in Cambridgeshire, received a bone marrow transplant at the hospital 10 years ago.

He now works in the lung function unit where he was treated for leukaemia.

This week, Mr Rutter, from Suffolk, was named Young Healthcare Scientist which the hospital said was "a testament to his work over the past six years".

He was presented with his award at the Chief Scientific Officer's annual conference in London.

'Acute leukaemia'

The hospital's professor of respiratory biology David Lomas said: "He is quite an outstanding individual who is a role model for what can be achieved by hard work, dedication and a passion for a service to which he is truly committed.

"I first met Matt 10 years ago when he was 16. He had acute leukaemia for which he had undergone bone marrow transplantation and approximately a year later he developed a lung disease.

"Fortunately his condition stabilised but his interaction with the lung function team led to a desire to follow a career in physiological measurement."

He is currently studying for a BSc in Clinical Physiology at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge and later hopes to undertake a PhD.

He said: "There was a point when it was looking like my illness was going to prove fatal but I managed to battle back.

"I enjoy my job and am overwhelmed by this award - I really wasn't expecting to win."