The Coronation festivities come during what is already a year of celebration and reflection for the NHS as it marks its 75th year giving the health service the opportunity to look back on its achievements over the years and the opportunities that lie ahead.
NHS staff from all over the country will take part in this very special historical occasion after being invited to attend events to celebrate the coronation.
Audrey Tapang, Senior Nurse for International Recruitment at the Newcastle Hospitals is one of those hand selected staff and was honoured with an invitation to attend the first of three Royal Garden Parties on Wednesday 3 May on the lawns of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the forthcoming Coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey.
A most worthy Ambassador for Newcastle Hospitals
Audrey was nominated to represent the Trust in recognition of her commitment to leading the organisation’s international recruitment offer, a role she has excelled in to such a degree that she won last year’s Nursing Times Overseas Nurse of the Year Award.
On attending the special occasion Audrey said: “Being an attendee at the Royal Garden Party this year was an exhilarating experience.
“Not even in my wildest dreams have I thought that this would happen to me, but it did!
“I feel so humbled by this opportunity and special to be one of the chosen 30,000 people to attend the Royal Garde Party.
“I am constantly blessed with opportunities like this by working in the Trust since 2017. I definitely made the right choice! Thank you, Newcastle Hospitals â¤ï¸”
Executive Chief Nurse Maurya Cushlow said “We’re absolutely delighted for Audrey to have received the honour of being invited to attend such an auspicious event, and she is certainly a most worthy Ambassador representing the Newcastle Hospitals.
“Since relocating from the Philippines to pursue a new start in life with us in 2017 Audrey has become a shining light in our nursing workforce, quickly demonstrating that she is a highly skilled and dedicated nurse with a desire to progress herself both personally and professionally and she is very much valued by her colleagues.
“Audrey has shown great professional leadership in the short space of time since she joined us, now leading the international recruitment team for the Newcastle Hospitals. I know her nursing career will continue to go from strength to strength here in Newcastle, and she can take great pride in all that she has achieved so far. Congratulations Audrey!”
Nursing Times ‘Overseas Nurse of the Year‘
Audrey began her nursing career at the Freeman Hospital in cardiothoracic theatres before taking on the role of clinical educator to support fellow international nurses moving from overseas to join the Trust in 2021. A role she excelled in to such a degree that she won last year’s Nursing Times Overseas Nurse of the Year Award.
Deputy Chief Nurse Ian Joy continued: “It’s been a joy to watch her grow and develop in her role, constantly adapting and managing a diverse range of challenges including a comprehensive redesign of the OCSE teaching programme at pace, whilst overseeing the Trust’s ambitious deployment plans both in and out of a pandemic.
“She takes great pride in ensuring we can continue to be the employer of choice for nurses and midwives seeking new lives overseas, and that our Trust continues to provide excellence in our international recruitment offer.”
First Royal Garden Parties of King Charles III’s reign
The garden parties – a staple part of the traditional royal calendar – will be the first of the King’s reign, with more than 8,000 guests attending each party.
Members of the royal family enter from the West Terrace and stand for the National Anthem, before circulating down lanes of people on the lawn.
Yeomen of the Guard, dressed in their red and gold ceremonial costumes, form part of the proceedings, and guests are free to stroll around the vast expanse of the gardens while a military band plays background music.
Guests also queue in tea tents and take their seats on nearby chairs, and around 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake are consumed at each party.
