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Dedicated nurse wins clinical research award

 Scottish Research Nurse and Co-ordinators Network names clinical research nurse of the year

A nurse who has built up a clinical research team since 2007 has been recognised for her achievements.

Emergency Medicine Research Group Edinburgh (EMERGE) team leader Judy Coyle was named clinical research nurse of the year at the annual Scottish Research Nurse and Co-ordinators Network (SRNCN) conference.

Ms Coyle, who has worked in her specialty for 20 years, moved to the emergency department of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in 2007 to co-found EMERGE. 

At the time it had just five members, only two of whom were clinical research nurses. In the years since, the group has grown to 30, with 12 clinical research nurses.

The colleagues who nominated Ms Coyle for the award noted her exceptional commitment to her work, adding that she is often on call 24 hours a day and always available to help and advise staff in the department.

One citation read: ‘Judy is our mentor and a role model of what a good research nurse should be. She has made EMERGE what it is today.’

Another read: ‘She has an eagle-eye for detail and is always identifying areas in prospective study protocols and research paperwork that need further thought.’

After receiving the award, Ms Coyle said: ‘I just hope that I continue to play my small part with pride and embrace the opportunities that come my way for promoting the work of research nurses.’

The SRNCN was established 10 years ago to suport the education and development of clinical research nurses in Scotland, who currently number more than 600. More than 140 attended the conference, where the keynote presentation was on the Ebola outbreak in west Africa and how research nurses contributed to clinical trials in the region.