Trust international nurses join King Charles at the palace for birthday celebrations

Date: 20/11/2023 | Category: News 2023

Advanced Nurse practitioner in Haematology Asha Mathew and Head of Clinical Education and Professional Development Arlene Bautista attended a special event last week to celebrate the King’s 75th birthday as well as 75 years of the NHS. They were able to meet His Majesty, King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace and personally wish him a happy birthday.

Asha and Arlene were chosen to represent Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust for their work in supporting internationally educated nurses to settle into working at the Trust and living in Buckinghamshire.

Arlene Bautista said: “It is with profound gratitude that I acknowledge the immense privilege of attending the King’s birthday celebration at the Palace. It has been especially gratifying to know I was nominated for working with other internationally trained nurses, supporting them with their training and development and making them feel as welcomed as I did when I first came here. This is something to remain with me for such a very long time.”

Asha Mathew said: “It was an exciting moment to meet His Majesty. He even asked me how long I have been in the UK and about my family back in Kerala. It was such an honour to speak with him and a memory I will always cherish. I was very proud to be there representing international nurses working at the NHS.”

The international programme at the Trust not only focusses on recruitment but also on helping new international nurses to settle in locally, receive training, wellbeing support and professional development advice.

Our international recruitment takes place alongside our local and national recruitment programmes, all of which are aimed at welcoming and keeping as many qualified, skilled and talented nurses within our Trust, delivering the outstanding care our patients deserve and ensuring the Trust is a great place to work.