Surgeon shares 'special moment' operating with son

A plastic surgeon has said operating with his son for the first time was "a truly special moment".

Dr Nicholas Bennett, a consultant plastic surgeon at Queen Alexandra Hospital (QA) in Portsmouth, observed the work of his son, Dr Alexander Bennett, during a day of joint procedures.

The pair worked on several operations, which included skin cancer removal and reconstruction, as well as operating on a child requiring urgent hand surgery.

Dr Alexander Bennett said he "never thought" he would be able to work with his dad but it had "brought back a lot of memories".

Dr Nicholas Bennett, 62, began his career as an Army surgeon at The Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport.

His son, 32, followed in his footsteps and trained in the Wessex region to become an anaesthetist.

He recently joined the QA team where he had seen his father at work during a school work experience placement.

"I never thought Dad and I would actually work together," Dr Bennett said.

"I'm at the start of my career, and he's nearing the end of his, but there was just enough overlap for us to meet in the middle."

"When I was nine, I had to give a presentation to my class about what our parents did and dressed up as a doctor.

"I reflected on that the other day ... actually thinking 'gosh, ... we're not dressing up, we're actually just wearing our normal work clothes'."

He said giving patients an anaesthetic so your father could operate was "certainly a unique situation".

"I think the team really enjoyed it as well," he added.

"It's not something that happens every day, particularly the anaesthetist and surgeon asking for a photo at the end."

His father said he had always had "great admiration" for his colleagues, "but when that anaesthetist is your son, it's something else entirely".

"One day you're discussing clinical cases over Sunday lunch, and the next you're watching your child bring his skills to life in a real operating theatre.

"It was a truly special moment," he said.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.