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Sister Lisa Price who works in Paediatric Oncology has been named a finalist in this year's RCNi Awards, in the 'Excellence in Cancer Research' category, in recognition of her pioneering approach to establishing the Great North Children’s Hospital as a leading international research centre for childhood cancers.

In particular she is noted for the major part she has played towards making the Newcastle Hospitals the largest contributor to the UK’s tumour bank* – vital to pushing the boundaries in ground breaking clinical research which is directly relevant to influencing patient care.

Lisa was the UK’s first paediatric oncology research nurse and has led the research nursing team in Newcastle since its establishment in 1986.

Now a senior research sister, her dynamic leadership was instrumental in setting up the UK Children’s Cancer Research Nurse Group (CCRNG), which aims to share and promote the excellent work carried out by paediatric oncology research nurses nationally.

In more recent times, her drive to develop an enhanced research nurse role has enabled Lisa and her colleagues to obtain high levels of consent for tumour tissue collection, vastly increasingly the number of samples taken from patients and families with whom they have built great trust. She has also been responsible for many other advances in ensuring that children are offered clinical trials in the safest possible way.

Professor Simon Bailey, Clinical Lead and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at GNCH says: “Lisa has worked tirelessly over 33 years to integrate clinical research as a core activity within clinical paediatric oncology care.”

“By focusing on excellence in communication and nursing care she has ensured that our young patients and their families are treated with the utmost respect, leading to informed consent for clinical research trials and samples being taken from people who are highly engaged and have an in-depth understanding about their disease, its treatment and associated research.”

Professor Rod Skinner, Consultant in Paediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at GNCH adds: “Lisa’s passionate advocacy for clinical research also ensures seamless communication and partnership between the research team and those delivering clinical care, which results in the best possible care for patients and their families.

“She is a committed team leader who also cares deeply about the welfare of her colleagues. We are all incredibly proud of her and wish her all the very best for the ceremony later this year.”

Of her shortlisting Lisa says: “I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to have been nominated for the award and feel very humbled that my colleagues feel that I am deserving of the nomination.

“It has been a privilege to have served in this role for thirty two years and to have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing patients and their families.

“I have been lucky enough to have been in post long enough to have seen many changes over the years and to have witnessed results from some of the research incorporated into clinical practice.

“It is very rewarding to see how research is regarded and has become much more accepted and now has a firm place in the day to day management of children and adolescents with cancer.”

Lisa’s commitment to and success in developing the Newcastle paediatric oncology research nurse and clinical trial team, leading it to international prominence, is exemplified by:

• selection as a national ECMC (Experimental Cancer Medical Centre) centre
• establishment of the northern UK INCLuDE Phase I trial network,
• recognition as a European First in Child Centre for early phase clinical trials,
• selection by ITCC (Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer) as one of only 9 European training centres for a novel early phase clinical trial fellowship scheme.

Congratulations Lisa and good luck for the ceremony in July!

*Tumour banking involves collection of tumour tissue samples, underpinning the current ground-breaking research enabling scientists and clinicians to understand why childhood cancer occurs and how treatment can be improved. In rare paediatric malignancies, this is only possible by resourcing tumour samples stored in the CCLG Tissue Bank.

Find out more about the RCNi Awards at https://rcni.com/nurse-awards/