SHE was a best friend to her patient when she was terrified of having an operation.

Endoscopy nurse practitioner Iva Ivanova has been working at Southampton General Hospital for more than ten years.

The 40-year-old has always loved her job and tries to make patients feel supported before they have diagnostic procedures.

Now she has been nominated for the Daily Echo Hospital Hero Award for the supportive way she treated one patient, who was scared of her potential results.

Gill Watkin was sent to Southampton General last year after having an unsuccessful operation at another hospital. She was suffering from discomfort and a possible diagnosis of cancer.

The 67-year-old from Baddesley did not know if she could go through another procedure and seeing how nervous she was Iva did not leave her side.

Gill said: “I couldn’t have gone through with the operation without Iva. She just handled everything so sensitively and I felt so much calmer after talking to her.

“Iva made it feel like it would be all right – and in the end it was.

“I can’t thank her enough for putting my mind at ease. I was extremely anxious but Iva being there for me throughout the operation was amazing and definitely worth recognising with an award.”

Iva, who lives in Hedge End, added: “I was so excited when I found out Gill had nominated me. I just feel like I’m doing my job. I remember seeing Gill and noticing how anxious she was. I did not want her to be scared or feel like it was going to be another bad operation so I did really try to help. I’m so happy it worked.”

Iva is among a number of NHS staff who have been nominated for the award, which will be presented at a ceremony on March 3 at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton.