A senior nurse who led on the treatment of the three Ebola patients at the Royal Free Hospital has been honoured at the Nursing Times Leaders awards 2015.Breda Athan

Breda Athan, senior matron and lead nurse for the high level isolation unit (HLIU), said she was “delighted” to be named a Nursing Times Inspirational Leader.

The award came just over a year after nurse Will Pooley became the first UK citizen to contract Ebola during the epidemic that swept across West Africa last year. 

After receiving the award, Breda said: “I am delighted to have received this award. However I see this as recognition of the outstanding work of the whole HLIU team. Not just nurses and doctors, but the pharmacists, house keepers and everyone else who worked tirelessly to ensure we were providing the best possible care to our three Ebola patients.”

Image: Breda Athan

ENDS

Notes to editors

Media contacts: daniel.obrien1@nhs.net or call 020 7371 7740

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London.