Posted online: Feb 8th, 2011

By Orla McNicholl
orla@derrypost.com

A County Derry woman has been honoured after her research work saved the NHS £400,000 over a nine month period.
Marina Lupari from Magherafelt beat off stiff competition from 300 nominees to pick up the prestigious Frontline First Innovation Award for her work with the Institute of Nursing Research.
It was the mother-of-three’s research in evaluating and promoting a new model of community nursing for managing long term health conditions that impressed the Royal College of Nursing who presented her with the award recently.
Marina, a student at the University of Ulster, said she was overwhelmed by her success which she stated was not down to her alone.
“We in the health service all want to make a difference and it is the most wonderful feeling to know that your contribution has been acknowledged,” Marina said.
“This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of all the nurses who worked with me to make my vision a reality.”
Paying tribute to supervisors Professor Vivien Coates from the Institute of Nursing Research and Professor Gary Adamson from the School of Psychology, Marina said she would not have achieved success without their support.
“It was landmark research which has never been done on either a national or international level and I will always be grateful to Professor Coates and Professor Adamson for helping me to make all this happen,” she added.
Professor Brendan McCormack, Director of the Institute of Nursing Research at the University of Ulster, said her research was very important to them.
“I think the main thing is that Marina’s success really demonstrates how research work impacts when it’s put directly into practice,” he said.
Marina is currently working as Assistant Director for Nursing, Research and Development at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.