Harriet Phillips has announced she is leaving the NHS after 24 years to take up a role with a private foundation, revealing the career change in her first interview since joining the Royal Family. She has also become the official patron of Home-Start Cotswolds, marking her first patronage.
A New Chapter After Decades in the NHS
Speaking to Hello! magazine, Harriet Phillips said: "It's been an enormous privilege to spend 24 years working in the NHS, and I've loved my career." She described the move as "a natural step, rather than a complete change of direction," adding that it is a chance to use everything she has learnt in a new way.
Before this change, Harriet spent a decade in London at institutions including Evelina London Children's Hospital, working closely with vulnerable children. She later returned to Gloucestershire, where she worked in the community with babies, young children, and their families.
Focus on Infant Mental Health
Harriet explained her growing passion for promoting healthy brain development, saying: "If we can support parents during this critical early period, we have an opportunity to make a lasting difference for children." Her new role will continue her lifelong speciality in infant mental health.
Her patronage with Home-Start Cotswolds builds on her existing connection to the charity. As a specialist nurse in Gloucestershire, she had already seen the charity's impact and regularly referred families to their services.
Advocacy and Community Support
In her new role, Harriet will raise awareness, attend events, and visit community groups to connect with volunteers and parents. She said: "Becoming a parent can be one of the most wonderful experiences in life, but it can also feel overwhelming and isolating."
She added: "Home-Start offers vital, practical and non-judgmental support. If I can do anything to shine a light on something positive for families and children, I'm thrilled to do it."
