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Research Nurse from Great Western Hospital nominated for NHS Parliamentary Award

Eva Fraile, a Research Nurse from Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been nominated for an NHS Parliamentary Award. These awards recognise the NHS and social care staff, volunteers and carers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make the NHS a better service.

The nomination follows her incredible return to work only six months after suffering from a life-threatening subarachnoid brain haemorrhage.

Eva has also been instrumental in recruitment to the IRONMAN study at Great Western Hospital. The study aims to determine whether additional use of intravenous (IV) iron on top of standard care improves the outcome for patients with heart failure and iron deficiency.

To date Eva has recruited 94 participants, and her fantastic work on this trial has helped Great Western Hospital be selected by the IRONMAN study as the only ‘super centre site’ for the trial. This status recognises the excellent recruitment rates at Great Western Hospital, and allows the site to over recruit to the study and thus help meet the national recruitment goals.

She was nominated for the local Parliamentary Award by both the Rt Hon Robert Buckland, MP for Swindon South, and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who recognised her tenacity and determination

Dr Badri Chandrasekaran, Director of Research and Innovation and Consultant Cardiologist at Great Western Hospitals, said:

“Eva Fraile is one of the bravest people it has been our privilege to work with. Her infectious enthusiasm for life is mirrored by her attitude to her work.

“Having watched her go through her own personal healthcare problems we are humbled by how she has triumphed through adversity by her determination.”

Eva said:

“I am so honoured to be nominated for an NHS Parliamentary Award. I worked hard to be where I am and for me it feels normal to come back to work.

“After I was discharged, I didn’t want to look backwards at what happened. I was worried I wouldn’t remember how to be a nurse, so going back to work was really important for me, my personal challenge, and the next step in my recovery.

“I love my job; it makes me happy and it’s rewarding at the end of the day to know I make a difference. I love talking to patients and knowing that I made them feel better, also that I gave them the opportunity to take part in research which can provide better outcomes and extra care for future patients.

“I am honoured and proud to be recognised, and I hope it can be a great example for people on their recovery path to be determined and positive, and show everyone what research means.”

Many congratulations to Eva for this achievement! The shortlist for the NHS Parliamentary Awards will be announced on 23rd November 2020.