A GROUP of nurses from bath were among a group of frontline NHS staff who were invited to a royal reception where they were thanked for their work.

Five nurses from the RUH along with 345 others attended the reception which was hosted by Prince Charles the Countess of Wessex, to celebrate nursing in the UK.

Simon Andrews, surgical matron at the RUH said: “It was a really good occasion, very grand but informal and friendly.

"We all met and chatted to Prince Charles and the Countess, they were very interested in our work and clearly understood how busy the NHS has been over the winter and how hard everyone’s been working.

"It was a really enjoyable evening with so many other nurses, there was a really good atmosphere.”

Jo Miller, RUH Head of Nursing Medical Division, said: “The Prince and the Countess were charming and very empathetic.

"They were well-informed and clearly understood the challenges of nursing and the NHS.

"It was a really lovely event and a great honour and thank you not just for us but for everyone at the Trust.”

The guests represented nurses from throughout the profession, from hospitals to general practice to community nursing, nursing homes, and nurses in the armed forces and prisons.

Prince Charles is a supporter of the healthcare sector and is Patron of several charities which involve and support nurses, including Macmillan Cancer Care, Marie Curie and The British Red Cross.

The Countess of Wessex is Patron of The Nursing Memorial Appeal and Colonel in Chief of Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.