FAMILY and ex-patients of an "extraordinary" medic who died in 2014 gathered at the Churchill Hospital as life-saving equipment was donated in his memory.

Fundraising efforts for a £30,000 ultrasound scanner began last January following the sudden death of urological surgeon Nilay Patel, 36, the previous May.

At a bittersweet event yesterday the equipment was handed over by Oxford-based charity Urology Cancer Research and Education.

Charity executive officer Val Berry said: "This has mainly come from small contributions from patients who knew and loved Nilay.

"He was such a lovely guy you couldn't help but feel instantly you had made a friend in him. What a way to say thank you and to remember him."

Mr Patel came to Oxford in 2001 as a junior doctor and became part of a three-man team that performed complex renal surgery for conditions like kidney cancer.

He wanted an extra scanner to check for complications after surgery, as previously just one was shared between the Churchill and the JR, causing delays.

Former colleague Professor David Cranston said: "It is absolutely a fitting tribute."

Mr Patel's wife Seetal and daughters Nahla, five, and Suraya, eight, were present as well as one of his former patients, Bob Simmons.

The Thame resident, also now a member of UCARE, had an autotransplant in 2009 after being diagnosed with kidney cancer and was treated by Mr Patel and the team.

He said: "I don't think I could get better service anywhere in the world. I thought it was outstanding."

His wife Jean added: "Nilay was extraordinary. You couldn't meet a nicer man or think of a greater loss. That this machine is in his name is absolutely appropriate."