A Royal Invitation

Two of our nurses have attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Prince for frontline nurses in the NHS.

 

Sue Gibbs, nurse manager of our Virtual Ward and Rapid Response team and Julie Brown, ward manager of Coyle, spent an interesting evening at the Palace and talked with Prince Charles.

 

Julie Brown was chosen for her dedication and hard work in managing and ensuring patient safety on the very busy 32-bed Coyle ward. Coyle is a surgical trauma ward and receives many patients from the Emergency Department.

 

Julie said:

“It was a privilege to go to the Palace and I haven’t come down yet.  I couldn’t sleep on Wednesday night! I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the beauty of the Palace and the glamour. As I was walking through the long corridors, I thought, ‘I’m walking on carpet that the Queen has walked on! It’s something I’ll never forget and it was lovely to share it with Sue.”

 

“Prince Charles showed so much interest in everyone’s story. Sue and I were lucky – he only got to speak to about half the 350 nurses there and we were among them. It’s obvious he appreciates the nursing profession and realises how varied our roles can be.”

 

Sue Gibbs was chosen to go to the Palace for her work in managing the Virtual Wards of the Trust and UCLH, which provide people with high-level medical and nursing care in their own homes.  Sue worked in Islington community services and then moved to the Trust when it became an integrated care organisation. Her role before retirement in 2014 was as a Community Matron.  Sue returned to Whittington Health to work part-time in the Virtual Ward and  to run the Rapid Response service, where she goes the extra mile to ensure the Trust offers an exemplary service.

 

“When you walk across the cobbles, you can’t help but think of all the Kings and Queens who have walked on the same path. The central staircase hung with oil paintings and tapestries was breathtaking and the painted ceilings staggering.

 

“When we were speaking to the Prince,” says Sue, “he seemed so interested and genuinely fond of the NHS and what our jobs are all about. He pointed out that he and the NHS shared a 70th birthday this year.

 

Julie and Sue are huge advocates of the Trust.  Sue says: “I’ve worked in many trusts and hospitals and there is nowhere like the Whittington. The feel-good factor comes from the top down.  There is a family atmosphere and a united approach. It’s pressurised, but everyone works so well together.”

 

And Julie, who has worked here for more than 20 years and jokes she is part of the furniture, says: “We all support each other, come in and get on with it and do a great job. I can honestly say I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”