The Duke of Sussex was mobbed by nurses when he visited a children’s hospital where he spoke about the “financial difficulties” facing the NHS.
Harry toured Birmingham Children’s Hospital to celebrate 20 years of the charity WellChild’s specialist nursing programme, helping seriously ill children and their families transition from the hospital to their homes.
His appearance caused excitement in the hospital corridors with nurses and other medical staff surrounding him – and one female medic received a hug.
Families asked for pictures and the duke posed for a group shot with around a dozen nurses, telling them: “Thank you for everything you do.”
Harry was there to meet two nurses funded by WellChild, which facilitates the early discharge of children by teaching their parents the skills needed to provide care at home, and met some of the young patients.
In a lighter moment the duke revealed his son’s love of toy building bricks when he shared stories with Alec Hill, 12, and his parents.
“Do you know who’s obsessed with Lego? My son Archie – and he’s a master builder,” said Harry, who is rumoured to be planning to bring his young son and daughter to see their grandfather the King some time this week.
The duke, WellChild’s patron, told a room of the charity’s executives, nurses and families: “I don’t know if you hear it enough, the difference that you make every single day is quite literally changing daily lives.”
He added: “I understand, and we understand, that becomes harder every week with cuts and financial difficulties… just the insanity that seems to be circulating, not just in this country but in general.
“But hospitals like this don’t run without people like you, and families like this can’t be families that they want to be at home without the expertise and the skill set that you’re handing over to them, and WellChild is right at the centre of that.”
While the duke visited Birmingham his estranged brother the Prince of Wales carried out official events in Hastings and the King and Queen visited London Zoo, where Charles used a stethoscope to help give a “very well-behaved” penguin a health check.
Harry’s week-long trip to the UK has generated scrutiny over his accommodation arrangements, after a public disagreement with Buckingham Palace about offers of a royal room, and whether he will meet Charles.
The duke told the parents supported by WellChild that he hoped the Government, the NHS and the partnership with WellChild provide “more opportunities for you to make your lives easier”.
“We can’t solve everything, but what we can do is make sure that your lives are more comfortable and that you are trained to be able to take your kids home and not be stuck in the hospital.”
The room laughed when he quipped about hospital meals: “And not because the food is bad, though that might be a reason, but so you can actually have a family life.”
Harry spoke just before he cut a raspberry and white chocolate sponge to celebrate 20 years of WellChild nurses, and joked “I haven’t cut a cake for a very long time”, as he debated where to place the knife.
During the small celebration he had a public discussion about the World Cup when he quizzed former WellChild patient Wyatt Makwana, 12, about England’s chances in their quarter-final match on Saturday.
Wyatt said: “If England do win against Norway, I don’t think they will get past the semis,” and the duke made the room laugh when he replied: “Let’s hope you’re wrong.”
During the visit, Harry sat on Bilal Mirza’s hospital bed and listened as the 12-year-old told how his chest pains were symptoms of pneumonia that developed into sceptic shock and saw him spend time in intensive care, but he is now undergoing a gradual discharge with help from WellChild nurse Nicky Holt.
The duke told the 12-year-old: “You’ve been through the wars, you scared everybody by the sound of it.”
His parents were standing nearby and his mother, Lubna Bashir, said her son had used up his “nine lives”.
There was chat about football when Harry met Alec Hill, 12, who has a rare chromosomal condition and immune system disease, and his parents, who have been caring for him.
He told him: “I used to be an Arsenal supporter. Who do you support?” and when the little boy replied Aston Villa, Harry said: “Aston Villa, my brother supports Aston Villa,” and spoke about the club’s Europa League win earlier this year.
There were positive words for the schoolboy from the duke, who told him: “You’ve got a lot going on and you had your mum and dad really worried, now looks like you’re on the road to recovery – get you out of this hospital as soon as possible.”
