Princes visit injured comrades at UHBFT

Published: 20 January 2010

Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Prince Harry have made a private visit to Selly Oak Hospital to visit injured military personnel and meet nursing staff. The Princes were introduced to senior UHB managers, including Chief Executive Julie Moore and Medical Director David Rosser, before being briefed by Lt Col Phil Carter RAMC on the activities of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.

They then visited the hospital's critical care ward, where they met UHB's Critical Care Manager, Erica Perkins, who has recently returned from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. Both were keen to hear of her experiences as an NHS nurse working in the military hospital.

The two Princes were then taken to the Selly Oak's military-managed trauma ward, where they met with clinical staff before meeting soldiers who have been seriously wounded while serving in Afghanistan.

Soldier to soldier

Both were well received, with their military experience giving them a strong bond with the wounded servicemen. Prince William has served with the Blues and Royals Regiment of the Household Cavalry and is currently training as a search and rescue helicopter pilot with the Royal Air Force. Prince Harry served in Afghanistan with the Blues and Royals and is now training as a helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps.

Julie Moore said she was delighted the Princes had been able to visit the trust: "The presence of both Prince William and Prince Harry brought smiles to the faces of many patients, their families and friends, and we're proud to have hosted them. The close co-operation between UHB and the RCDM means we can provide world-class care for these wounded personnel, and the Princes were able to see that quality for themselves.

"They showed a keen and obviously sincere interest in how we care for patients and in the patients themselves, which was extremely rewarding for everyone. The interest of such well-known and respected figures is a huge boost for the morale of staff throughout UHB, who have worked so hard to provide the world-class treatments which benefit both military and civilian patients."