Sidcup nurse invited to Buckingham Palace

09 March 2018 

Carmen Marchidan, clinical services manager at Bupa Abbotsleigh Mews Care Home, Old Farm Road, will join other front-line nurseat the royal event.

Emblazoned with the golden letterhead of the Queen, the invitation states: “The Master of the house has received Her Majesty’s command to invite Mrs Carmen Marchidan to a reception at Buckingham Palace.”

It also goes on to say that the reception will be in the presence of the Prince of Wales, on the evening of March 14.

Carmen said: “I have no idea who nominated me for this event – it’s such an honour.

“I am very excited to be attending, and to be representing such a great team of staff at Bupa UK.”

Carmen manages the four homes within Abbotsleigh Mews, which cover a range of specialist care needs including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and palliative care.

Her roles in maintaining the homes are extensive - Carmen checks for problems, attends emergency situations, offers her staff support and carries out nurse shifts when necessary,

She first qualified as a nurse more than 30 years ago, and has worked in care homes ever since.

She added: “It’s a very busy role, but it is the job I always dreamed of as a child and I couldn’t see myself ever working in another field.

“I’m very proud to work with so many talented nurses and care professionals.

“Going to the palace definitely isn’t something I ever expected – I’ll have to start practising my curtsey.”

Carmen’s manager, Tracey Cheeseman RGN, general manager at the care home, added: “Carmen is an amazing nurse.

“She is just the kind of person I’d like to be looking after me or anyone I care about.

“She is great fun to work with, is an amazing source of inspiration and a valued support to me and the team, as well as residents and visitors to the home.

“We’re so lucky to have her.”

http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/sidcup-nurse-invited-to-buckingham-palace-1-5426992