A specialist domestic at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, celebrated the NHS’s 73rd birthday in style today — with a surprise chat with Prince William and the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Diane Caunt, pictured, attended a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, as NHS staff were thanked for working tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

 She was selected to attend the special event after a nomination by the trust,which runs King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, and on the day received a surprise phone call inviting her to meeting the two guests of honour at the front of the cathedral.

“The service was really moving and I was honoured to be a part of it,” Diane said.

“It was amazing to be asked to meet Prince William and the Prime Minister; they were both really friendly and asked me about Sherwood, how things had been at the height of the pandemic and how they are now.

“I told them that I hope we have turned a corner and I mentioned how supportive my family have been.”

Diane’s day job is to deep clean wards on a rotational basis. During the pandemic, her skills were recognised as being key to supporting the trust to help keep colleagues and patients safe.

She was asked to work in the Emergency Department to undertake specialist cleaning and didn’t hesitate to help.

Throughout the pandemic, Diane’s only time off came when she tested positive for Covid-19.

Lorna Branton, director of communications at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, said: “Diane has served her local community with professionalism, friendliness and stoicism, right on the frontline.

“Our domestic colleagues are highly valued and respected and we are delighted that Diane could represent us at the ceremony.”