Rachana Kalathiparambil named Evelina London Children's Nurse of the Year

Congratulations to Rachana Kalathiparambil Ramakrishnan, who has been named Evelina London Children's Nurse of the Year 2024 at the Trust's Annual Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

Rachana is a paediatric inherited cardiac conditions and paediatric aortopathy clinical nurse specialist – the first role of its kind in Europe. She is based in the inherited cardiac conditions team at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.

Rachana has been in post since 2022 and is part of a consultant-led clinic providing children, young people and families with guidance and support around their condition. She gives advice about medicine, symptom management, exercise and school care plans. Rachana also runs nurse-led clinics for teenagers moving from children's to adult services to help them prepare for this transition.

She looks after children with Marfan syndrome and other life-threatening conditions which cause a widening of the heart's aorta. Marfan syndrome affects around 1 in 5,000 children and is a genetic condition that has a 50% chance of being passed onto the next generation and can cause multiple health concerns. Rachana was nominated not only for her knowledge and experience but also her dedication and calm nature which reassures anxious patients and families who may have fears or concerns about their care.

Having a named contact during care is vital for patients and families. Rachana is there to support children and young people, and make sure both they and their family are listened to. She said: "This is a great honour. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to help children and families affected with aortopathies. It is crucial that these families have access to specialist care and genetic testing so that their treatment can be tailored to them."

Recognition like this is invaluable and motivates me to continue striving to deliver the best care for our children and families.

Janet Powell, Director of Nursing at Evelina London Children's Hospital, said: "I am delighted that Rachana has received this award. Her dedication to work in this specialist field is an inspiration and wonderful to see. She exemplifies all that we want to see in an Evelina London nurse and I am very proud of her and the service she provides."

The annual awards ran as part of Nursing and Midwifery Week and honour exceptional nurses and midwives who have gone the extra mile for their patients or colleagues. There were 2 teams and 25 individual winners recognised at the event which is now in its 8th year.

Evelina London, part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, provides specialist cardiovascular and respiratory care at both our purpose-built children's hospital on the St Thomas' Hospital site and at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.