Queen hails ‘wonderful’ hospital for seriously ill children
THE Queen has praised nurses at Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity for the “wonderful work” they do looking after seriously ill children.
Visiting the NHS Royal London Hospital to mark today’s International Nurses Day, Camilla was in high spirits as she met staff and patients.
One family told her their nurse had been “the guiding light in the darkest days” by providing invaluable emotional support.
The charity, founded in 1991 by Dame Felicity Dahl, widow of the children’s author, provides specialist nurses and care for youngsters with some of the most complex health conditions in the UK.
The Queen became patron in 2017 and will continue in the role following the recent royal patronage review.
Speaking to nurses in the hospital’s colourful healing suite, Camilla told them: “Thank you for the wonderful work you do.” She then met families in the care of specialist Roald Dahl nurses and bumped into One Show host Alex Jones, who was filming the visit for the BBC programme. Shaheda, 32, whose 16-month-old daughter has cerebral palsy, told the Queen that the nurses provide invaluable support, and revealed they were struggling to cope before they became involved with the charity.
Her Majesty told her: “It must make a huge difference to your life.”
Then she smiled as Shaheda’s older daughter, four, gave an impeccable curtsy.
Shaheda then replied: “Absolutely, I am always emailing the nurses for advice. They’re very quick at replying and it’s just been such a great help. It’s that weight off our shoulders. As parents we have a lot to deal with.”
Charlotte Duhig, the specialist neurology nurse who cares for the family and 600 others, told the royal visitor that she had been in the industry for seven years. The Queen quipped in response: “You’re much too young.”
Shaheda said afterwards: “Before meeting the nurses, we were struggling a lot. Their support has been wonderful. My daughter thinks she’s a princess herself so loved meeting the Queen, but it’s bittersweet.we’re really grateful.”
Queen Camilla then bent down to see two-year-old Taymiyyah Amin, who is receiving palliative care, and turned to speak to parents Salah Hassan, 37, and mother Seham Amin, 34.
She drew smiles by shaking hands with their three other children, Hajera Amin, 14, Sarah Amin, 10, and Ibraheem Amin, eight.
Ms Amin said: “I told Queen Camilla how our Roald Dahl nurse Holly has been the
guiding light in the darkest days. She’s been helping us and we’ve had some tough journeys, difficult times. Sometimes emotional support is all you need.”
Mr Hassan said: “Queen Camilla being here shows that she really cares about the
‘Sometimes emotional support is all you need’
charity and supporting the vulnerable.” The visit comes after the charity learned that it has maintained its royal patronage after the recent review.
Louise Griew, chief executive of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity,
said: “It means the world to us that the patronage has been kept on.
“Having a royal patron gives us a level of awareness that is very difficult for a small charity to get themselves.
“Queen Camilla has supported us for a number of years and it has been incredible. She is really passionate about the Roald Dahl nurses.”
The charity now has more than 150 nurses across the UK who help more than 36,000 children.
The dedication and expertise of Roald Dahl nurses reduces waiting times, A&E visits and hospital admissions.
They are also a vital lifeline for the whole family, co-ordinating care and providing the highest level of emotional support.
Every year, the Queen invites children and nurses from the charity to Clarence House to help decorate the Christmas tree.
Elsewhere on the visit, Her Majesty met paramedics from London’s Air Ambulance, who are based at the Royal London Hospital, stating that their work was “very impressive”.
Referring to her house in Wiltshire, she said: “I am the ambulance patron in Wiltshire, so when I see the helicopters flying overhead at home I stand outside and wave at them.”
Jonathan Jenkins, chief executive of London’s Air Ambulance, said: “Queen Camilla’s support means a great deal. It really resonates with the public who support us as a charity. It’s a great help to have such high-level endorsement.”