Kettering nurse meets King at Buckingham Palace reception

A hospital nurse who developed a new service to help vulnerable patients said it was an "honour" to be invited to a Buckingham Palace reception.

Binoy Kanjookkaran Chakkappan created the Enhanced Care Team at Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire.

It provides one-to-one care for patients with dementia, learning difficulties or mental health needs.

The reception to celebrate nurses and midwives hosted by King Charles III was part of the NHS 75 celebrations.

Mr Chakkappan said: "King Charles came and walked around and spoke to as many people as possible.

"I had a chance to wish him a happy birthday and tell him I had come down from Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire."

The nurse qualified as an accountant in Kerala, in the south of India, before moving to the UK and studying for a nursing degree.

The Kettering team, which he established two years ago, is one of the first in the country to provide individual care for these kinds of patients, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

"I think it is a great recognition of what I and my 25-strong team of enhanced care assistants do at the hospital every day," said Mr Chakkappan.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830