It is with great sadness that we share the news that our friend and colleague Professor Paula Ormandy, Founding Member and Treasurer of ANN UK, has passed away.

Working with colleagues across the Kidney Care landscape, both nationally and internationally, Paula was incredibly well respected and loved, and she will be greatly missed. She provided invaluable support with her work at ANN UK, BRS and EDTNA, and leaves a remarkable legacy.

She was one of three co-founders of the Association of Nephrology Nurses UK (ANN UK), Executive Director and Treasurer, committed to research, education and support for nurses in kidney care, investing in and developing nurse leaders of the future.  She was instrumental in building the association to its current membership of more than 500 kidney care nurses.

Paula was Professor in Long Term Conditions Research at Salford University. Originally a kidney care nurse, she built a career in health service research spanning 30 years. 

She worked tirelessly to ensure PhD programmes were inclusive and accessible to diverse communities Many of her students have gone on to excel in their fields, winning national and international recognition.

Paula worked with the British Renal Society as Vice President Research, was Chair of the Research Committee, and the first non-medical Chair of the UK Kidney Research Consortium.

She was a leading researcher in renal nursing, co-founding the Kidney Information Network (KIN), which uses digital/social media to inform and connect kidney patients with their peers to share information, education and support. 

Paula was also co-chair of the Kidney Patient Involvement Network, working to increase kidney patient involvement in quality improvement, research and service design.

We will miss her humour, kindness, boundless energy, enthusiasm and support she gave to us all.

ANN UK will be sharing funeral arrangements once they receive confirmed details.

ANN UK will also be opening a book of condolence. 
The ANN UK Secretariat will forward any tributes to Paula’s family.
Please send your messages to info@ann-uk.org