Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, visited Birmingham Children's Hospital on Thursday to meet a WellChild nurse providing vital support for children across the West Midlands. The visit marked the 20th anniversary of the WellChild specialist nursing programme, which helps seriously ill children and their families spend quality time at home.
Meeting with Nurse Nicky Holt
During his visit, Harry chatted with Nicky Holt, who became WellChild's 53rd nurse when her appointment was announced in October 2024. Her post is funded by WellChild, and she works as a tracheostomy specialist nurse, providing vital help and support to families with children who require long-term ventilation to help them breathe.
Patronage and Support
Harry has been patron of WellChild – the national charity for seriously ill children and their families – since 2007 and regularly attends the annual awards ceremony. The visit came days after he lost his High Court claim, made with a group of celebrities, against the Daily Mail's publishers over alleged unlawful information gathering.
Impact of the Programme
The WellChild specialist nursing programme has been running for 20 years, enabling seriously ill children to be cared for at home rather than in hospital. This reduces the burden on families and allows children to enjoy a better quality of life. According to WellChild, the programme has supported thousands of families across the UK.
