St George’s staff mix with royalty and celebrities at NHS 75 party
Long-serving St George’s staff were among the guests at a tea party attended by royalty to mark the NHS’s 75th birthday.
Mark Jenkins, Senior Clinical Technologist, and Evelyn Chong, Catering Supervisor, were invited to the event which Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales also visited.
Hosted by NHS Charities Together – the national charity caring for the NHS, of which Their Royal Highnesses are Patrons – and television presenter Mel Giedroyc, the event was attended by members of the workforce and patients representing a myriad of achievements.
It was held in the wellbeing garden of St Thomas’ Hospital in London, with Their Royal Highnesses discussing current challenges and thanking staff for the work they continue to do.
Mark, who has worked at St George’s for more than 18 years, is based within the Medical Physics department, and is responsible for providing technical expertise for devices in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, paediatric wards, and the paediatric community.
He was nominated to attend the exclusive tea party, which he is “extremely grateful” for.
“As you can imagine all the guests were very surprised and overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of the royal couple,” he said.
“I was extremely lucky enough to have been seated next to the Princess of Wales, who listened with genuine interest and empathy regarding our job roles within the NHS. It was certainly a day to remember.”
He added: “I enjoy my job immensely knowing my small input, along with the help of the team around me, will provide a better patient outcome.”
Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said: “We want to say a huge thank you to our Royal Patrons, and everyone who’s helped celebrate the 75th anniversary of our beloved NHS this year. As the national charity caring for the NHS, NHS Charities Together is here for anyone who wants to give something back to its people, who all give so much to us, and that extra support has never been so important. It includes providing staff psychologists, counselling, peer support training and so much more.”
Eurovision and former Great-British Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc was the host for the event on behalf of NHS Charities Together, and said: “The NHS is part of our DNA in this country so it was an utter privilege to be involved in this NHS Big Tea surprise to celebrate 75 years of the NHS and NHS charities.
“People were so delighted and it was just a quintessentially lovely, British day, celebrating our health service that we all love so much. I hope we will continue to love and take care of it for the next 750 years, because it’s something truly precious – and what would we do without it? I have it to thank for my hernia operations!”
To find out more about the work of NHS charities, visit www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk
