Award winning nurse has ‘the best job in the world’

March 29, 2017   Posted By: Adam Flinn

Debbie Dellafera is presented with the Outstanding Health Professional award by Professor Nick Lemoine, medical director of NIHR Clinical Research Network

A dedicated nurse has described having “the best job in the world” after being honoured for her work on medical research into Parkinson’s Disease.

Debbie Dellafera won the outstanding health professional prize at the National Institute for Health Research awards in Southampton.

Debbie works as a clinical research practitioner across Hampshire Hospitals.

She specialises in Parkinson’s Disease, stroke care, long-term conditions and frailty, and is responsible for enrolling patients into research studies looking at new and alternative ways of treating these conditions.

She also supports patients throughout the process, ensuring they understand the trial and get the best possible experience.

Debbie was nominated for the award after recruiting more than 40 patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease into a new trial.

Her efforts ensured that Hampshire Hospitals was the top recruiting trust nationwide over the past year.

Debbie said: “I think I have got the best job in the world because by helping to make this research happen, I can really change things.

“It was a good night at the awards, but I was shocked when my name was read out.

“I did not expect it at all, because so many people there are doing such great work.

“To win was amazing and I am really proud. It’s a real honour.”

Debbie is a key member of the Wessex Leadership team for stroke research, helping to ensure high quality levels of research across the region.

Hampshire Hospitals had two other finalists at the ceremony.

Research nurse Liz Happle was shortlisted for the outstanding health professional award.

Meanwhile the haemophilia research team, led by consultant haematologists Dr Savita Rangarajan, Dr Sarah Mangles and Dr Tamara Everington were finalists in the excellence in delivery of commercial research category.

http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/award-winning-nurse-has-the-best-job-in-the-world