Jarell is the newest member of the team at Royal Brompton Hospital’s pulmonary hypertension service, combining his role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in PH with research into how the new drug sotatercept affects patients. Jarell, who trained as a nurse in the Philippines and came to the UK in 2017, tells us more…

Posted September 2026

I’ve worked across a few hospitals in London, in different departments, and the chance to move into PH and combine it with research felt like a great opportunity. Back in the Philippines I spent four years in critical care, and since being in the UK I’ve had lots of experience with major cardiac surgeries. I was working in the field of anaesthetics before taking on the role with Royal Brompton team. The move felt like a chance to keep learning, and I feel like I’m making more of a difference in patient’s lives, because I can be with them for more of their journey. I joined the service just before Christmas last year and I’ve really been enjoying it.

My official job title is ‘Pulmonary Hypertension CNS / Clinical Research Nurse’ and that means I spend two days of the week focusing on research as part of my patient-facing work. This side of the role involves studying sotatercept in our patients that have received it as part of a clinical trial or early access programme, and now it’s been approved for use outside of these parameters, I feel like I’m seeing it come full circle. That’s really interesting from a nursing perspective, and the research helps me in my CNS role too. I just love learning!

The NHS is amazing and it really needs protecting

It feels like an honour to be part of the PH service in the UK. Learning about how it has developed over the years has been fascinating and it feels like an exciting place to be. The people around me – the doctors, the nurse specialists, the PHA UK… it’s such a multidisciplinary area and it’s really special. The patients we see really need our help, and it’s wonderful there are so many treatments now available for them. The NHS is amazing and it really needs protecting.  

I’m learning a lot from my colleagues at the Royal Brompton, and also from my patients. Everyone has been so helpful – and I always remember that patients are experts too. As a team at the Royal Brompton we are always trying to improve our service for them, continually learning and evolving, and doing our best to support patients in every way possible. We are looking after people, not numbers, and we never forget that.

Outside of nursing, I like to keep active – including the gym, walking, and hiking. I enjoy hiking in other countries, and I’ve experienced some beautiful routes in Majorca, Portugal and Italy in the last few years. Closer to home, I get out into the Surrey Hills as much as possible. I’m also obsessed with gardening; I generally just love to be outside. I try to get back to the Philippines once a year, as I do miss the warmth of the people – and the sunshine, of course!

We are looking after people, not numbers, and we never forget that