Bury St Edmunds West Suffolk Hospital nurse, from Philippines, honoured at Buckingham Palace reception on King Charles III’s 75th birthday

A nurse at West Suffolk Hospital recently attended Buckingham Palace for a reception honouring the work of NHS staff from overseas.

John Songkip – originally from the Philippines – attended the event on November 14, alongside around 400 other nurses and midwives.

They had been invited to the palace in recognition of their contributions to UK health services.

The nurses joined the King on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

Mr Songkip said: “When I was first contacted in confidence by the NHS regional team about the event, it was such a surprise.

“I was just back from my annual leave in the Philippines at the time, and my first thought was: ‘Are you sure it’s me?’

“They said they were very happy with the support I give to international colleagues, and were nominating me to attend the event.

“I did feel this was beyond just me, it’s the entire team and the trust working so hard for our colleagues, but only one person could be nominated per trust.”

Mr Songkip attended the event wearing traditional Filipino costume – and was delighted to find other nurses came in their own national attire.

Upon meeting the King, he told him: “Greetings from the Philippines and Bury St Edmunds – and happy, happy birthday!”

Mr Songkip thanked Diane Last, head of clinical education at West Suffolk's NHS hospital trust, for the opportunity to meet the king.

Mrs Last said: “We are extremely proud that John was nominated to attend this event on behalf of the West Suffolk Foundation Trust.

“John represented all of our international staff, and this was in recognition of the support that he pays forward to all of our new internationally-recruited nurses.”