A Newcastle nurse was one of the first people to attend a royal garden party during King Charles' reign.
Audrey Tapang - who won the Nursing Times Overseas Nurse of the Year award last year - was nominated to attend the party this week as part of the celebrations marking the new king's coronation. Audrey, who came to Newcastle from the Philippines now plays a vital role in the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust's work recruiting new nurses from overseas as a clinical educator.
On Wednesday, ahead of the coronation, she went to London in her finery with partner Steven Mallon. She said she had loved the experience.
Read more: 'Proud of our Royal Family': Newcastle celebrates King Charles' coronation
Audrey thanked those at the trust who nominated her and 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 Garden Party.
“I am constantly blessed with opportunities like this by working in the Trust since 2017. I definitely made the right choice!"
Newcastle Hospitals executive chief nurse Maurya Cushlow added "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!"
And deputy chief nurse Ian Joy added: “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."
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