Marsha Jones, this year’s Royal College of Physicians’ Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Nurse of the Year, shares her humbling experience meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
The lavish reception was held on Tuesday 14 November in recognition of the contribution of international nurses and midwives working in the UK’s health and social care sector.
Marsha, Director of Quality Governance and Assurance at NHS South West London, however, was actually invited on behalf of her voluntary role supporting international nurses and midwives where she is the Chair of the Society of African and Caribbean Midwives; Member of the Nursing Association of Jamaica, co-founder of the Caribbean Nursing and Midwives Association and works collaboratively with other diaspora organisations.
Guests gathered in the ballroom, representing countries from the Caribbean, Philippines, Ghana, India, Nigeria, and other parts of the world, with some proudly wearing their traditional attire. Marsha said “It was a proud moment to be in a room so colourful and filled with people of different shades of melanin, it was truly a beautiful representation of our diverse workforce.”
The Lewisham and Greenwich NHS choir filled the room with their voices as Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS England, accompanied the King and introduced him to his guests.
Marsha was one of Ruth’s Nurse Fellows, Ruth introduced Marsha to the King. Marsha was very well versed in meeting senior leaders from her upbringing in the Caribbean.
I remember greeting him and saying happy birthday which he welcomed before asking me about what work do I do in the NHS.
Marsha Jones on meeting King Charles
Feeling at ease, Marsha said “I remember greeting him and saying happy birthday which he welcomed before asking me about what work do I do in the NHS. He was also interested in what I thought about the challenges with nursing accommodation in which I simply replied that we were working on it.”
The steady flow of canapes and champagne continued until 6pm providing an opportunity for guests to network and meet the new Health Secretary of State, Victoria Atkins.
Looking back at such a special event, Marsha said: “It was very thoughtful of the King to mark his 75th birthday by celebrating international nurses and midwives, as it is in the same year we celebrate the NHS’s 75th birthday and mark 75 years since HMS Windrush docked at Tilbury.
“His humbleness and his acknowledgement to the contributions of our nurses speaks volumes and I only hope that his example will lead and encourage others working in the health and social care system to do better in welcoming our international nurses and midwives.
“This new generation of international nurses and midwives have not come to the UK from destitution. They have left their home, friends and family and warm climates to serve the British people. Most of all they have been invited here because we need their help, similarly to the Windrush generation”.
“And so it’s important that we remember to treat them with respect and kindness, give them the same opportunities and help them to feel that they belong in the health and social care system and feel proud everyday to be part of our organisations. They deserve it and they matter like everyone else. It’s important we acknowledge that just like the King has done.”
Marsha was named Nurse of the Year at the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Health and Care Awards on 28 September 2023 at the Royal College of Physicians. Read the full article on the NHS South West London website. You can also read her story for Black History Month.