A Sutton nurse manager was “speechless” when she met with the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace after being honoured for her contribution to nursing.

Patricia Fyfe, who works at St Judes Nursing Home in Mayfield Road, was invited to attend the evening reception before speaking with His Royal Highness.

It also comes as a huge initiative, which helps care home residents admitted to hospital get discharged quicker, was praised this month.

Ms Fyfe said: “I was speechless when I found out I was nominated for this award and it was such a privilege to be chosen to attend the reception.

“Prince Charles was exceptionally complimentary and genuinely interested to hear about our good works at St Judes, as was the Countess of Wessex, who was also in attendance.

“So often the nursing profession is in the media for negativity so it was so amazing to be acknowledged for our good works.

“At St Judes, it is my amazing team that really deserves praise and recognition too, they are wonderful.”

‘Red bags’, part of the 'Red Bags' scheme, contain key paperwork, medication, and items – such as glasses and dentures.

These are then given to ambulance crews to go with patients to hospital before they’re handed to the doctor looking after them.

Having started in Sutton and surrounding south London areas, other locations in the country are being urged to adopt the scheme as well.

On June 13, Care England backed its rollout because “it improves communication between care homes and hospitals”, said its chief executive Professor Martin Green OBE.

He added that it “ultimately leads to a better experience” for people who must transfer between services.