Elvis is in the building...at RAH
Anna brightens up patients’ lives belting out the King’s songs
An Elvis- mad nurse has been hailed after her crooning left patients all shook up.
Anna Pyra, 28, shake, rattle and rolls her way through her rounds at the Royal Alexandra Hospital by belting out rock hits.
She even bagged an award from the health board for brightening up days by aping the King.
Anna said: “I think it’s an honour to look after patients when they really need it and it’s great being part of that journey.
“One man I worked with had communication difficulties and wasn’t able to speak.
“I was helping him shower one day and was singing Elvis to him, when he started humming along.
“It was the best feeling for me and I really knew I had made a difference – I could have cried with joy right there and then.”
The auxiliary nurse is known throughout the hospital on
Anna is a firm favourite with staff and patients alike Rosie Moffat
Paisley’s Corsebar Road for her dance moves and singing.
She won a gong at the recent staff awards, but insists smiles from patients are worth more than any trophy.
Rosie Moffat, senior charge nurse at ward five, says the enthusiasm rubs off on all her colleagues.
She said: “Anna is fantastic and a firm favourite with staff and patients alike.
“She really brightens up everyone’s day and puts aside whatever cares she may have to bring pleasure to the patients.
“She sings and dances and, despite only being 28, has a full set list spanning the 60s and 70s, right up to the present day.
“If anyone is feeling down, they spend two minutes with Anna and their troubles disappear.
“Honestly, when she’s happy – which is all the time – everyone else is. It is contagious.”
Anna cleans the ward, helps with patients and the dinner service – but she is better known for her rapping than mopping.
She added: “Working in the hospital is like a dream come true for me.
“I can honestly say that Ward 5 is a great place to work and the whole team are fantastic. My singing is just part of that.
“I’m like a human jukebox. I love all types of music and sometimes I will start a song and pick up another half way through.
“I love my job and I would never want to be anywhere else.”