Kind-hearted Catherine surprises terror survivors with bedside visit

The Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise visit to survivors of the London terror attacks, forgoing publicity so she didn’t disturb their treatment at the city’s King’s College Hospital.

Catherine talked to the hospital’s staff about the pressure they felt when dealing with the assaults on pedestrians on London Bridge and at Borough Market, remaking at their “amazing calm”, according to The Telegraph.

“Do you get emotional support too for what you are having to deal with? ” she asked one member of the medical team, and was told that the hospital workers supported each other when dealing with traumatic events.

Reports said 14 victims of the attacks had been taken to the hospital, mostly with stab wounds, and seven remained in critical condition. Her bedside visits to the survivors was not pictured, but a hospital spokesman told The Telegraph that most were well enough to speak to the Duchess.

Malcolm Tunnicliff, the clinical director of the hospital’s emergency department, said he got the impression Catherine was really impacted by the dedication of the King’s staff.

“We prepare for incidents like this 24 hours a day but it’s really nice when someone like the Duchess of Cambridge comes in and sees what we do first hand and says thanks,” he told the Daily Mail. “It gives the patients a lift, it gives the staff a lift that they are being recognised.”

He commented that the hospital in the centre of the capital was one of the busiest hospitals in western Europe when it came to treating stabbings, but that the number of victims from the terror attacks was unprecedented. 

Kensington Palace posted a photograph on Instagram of Catherine meeting some of the “incredible doctors, nurses and support staff” at the hospital, and tweeted images of her talking to Tunnicliff and his colleagues about the experience.

 

Earlier today The Duchess of Cambridge visited staff and patients at Kings College Hospital to meet some of those affected by the London Bridge and Borough Market attacks. Her Royal Highness met with some of the incredible doctors, nurses and support staff who spoke of their experiences during the evening of the attacks, and explained how they worked as a team to help those in need. Her Royal Highness thanked all of those at Kings College Hospital for their hard work and the care they have provided to all of those affected.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Jun 12, 2017 at 10:43am PDT

After meeting patients, HRH sits with Dr Tunnicliff who explains how important the psychological support offered to staff & patients is. pic.twitter.com/JZpvTenMIu

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 12, 2017

The Duchess says goodbye to the fantastic team @KingsCollegeNHS and thanks them for all their care & support for victims of the attack. pic.twitter.com/hH9qKum1p9

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 12, 2017