A new virtual reality simulator for trainee surgeons to hone their skills has opened at a hospital thanks to money left in retired BBC engineer's will.

After Ralph Barrett had a serious motorbike accident during the Second World War, he underwent 14 operations to save his leg at Medway Maritime Hospital, in Gillingham.

He was so thankful for the care he received that he left £1 million in his will to the orthopaedic department at the trust.

The simulator will allow trainee surgeons to practice the skills needed to carry out orthopaedic arthroscopic joint surgery – and it is the only trust in the region to have such equipment.

Jo Palmer, the trust’s chairman, said: "The knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle simulator for arthroscopic skill training uses an original arthroscope, camera and other surgical instruments adapted for virtual reality simulation.

"The goal is to shorten learning curves and provide a seamless transfer of skills to the operating theatre.

"Virtual reality simulators accelerate the time needed to gain competency and use of original instruments provide a complete training experience and prepare users for real procedures in a surgical setting.

"We are the only trust in the region to have this suite of equipment and we felt it was a fitting use of Mr Barrett’s legacy.

"His leg was saved by talented surgeons and we are using his gift to train orthopaedic surgeons of the future."

The money also funded arthroscopy equipment and surgical software for main theatres, as well as an ultrasound for orthopaedic clinics.

It will be supporting the trust’s new same-day endoscopic spinal surgery service.

Alison Davis, the trust’s chief medical officer, said: "We are delighted to support the orthopaedic department’s same day endoscopic spinal surgery service.

"The equipment, to be purchased from this wonderful legacy, will allow the team to develop and implement a programme that aligns with Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s patient first improvement strategy.

'He was an amazing man. He had a terrible accident and was so thankful that he wanted to show his gratitude...'

"Eligible patients will soon be able to undergo endoscopic spinal surgery and go home the same day.

"This will have such a positive impact on recovery and improve our patients’ lives."

Mr Barrett died in 2017, aged 93, and was a member of the special operations executive, dropping agents into Europe during the war.

He was also a radio expert and was largely responsible for Eurovision and the setting up of Eurovision links and the first satellite links with the USA.

When he retired from the BBC, he had another career for two decades touring the country giving lectures on radios and was also a talented musician, performing old-time musicals at the Players Theatre in London.

Ralph's nephew Glenn Barrett, and his wife Hilary, recently visited the hospital to open the Ralph Barrett Virtual Reality Room.

Glenn said: "He was an amazing man. He had a terrible accident and was so thankful that he wanted to show his gratitude.

"I know he would be absolutely enthralled by this equipment because it’s electronic and he was an electronics man, so this is so apt really.

"It’s absolutely perfect so thank you for all of the work that has gone into this.

"I know lots and lots of people locally will benefit as a result of this equipment so we’re really pleased on behalf of the Barrett family, and on behalf of Ralph, to declare it open."