A PIONEERING surgeon received a prestigious award for his impact on the field.

Laparoscopic surgeon Professor Roger Motson received the award of Honorary Doctor of Health Sciences from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) during a graduation ceremony.

Over the past few decades Professor Motson has had a huge impact in the field of in minimally-invasive surgery – pioneering new techniques that have become the norm.

As President of the ICENI Surgical Education Centre in Colchester, and Visiting Chair of Surgery at ARU, Professor Motson has made a significant contribution to surgical education and research.

He has been running one of the first training courses for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1992.

In 2005, Professor Motson was appointed Director of Colchester University Hospital’s ICENI Centre for laparoscopic surgery where until his retirement in 2018, he helped train hundreds of consultants, surgeons-in-training and theatre nurses.

Professor Roderick Watkins, who presented the award, said: “As an outstanding physician, surgeon and educator, Professor Motson will be an inspirational role model for our students and researchers.

"Coming so soon after the opening of our new School of Medicine, this is a timely and appropriate award.”