A MENTAL health nurse who has spent more than 40 years supporting Wiltshire patients was invited to meet the prime minister.

Jane Palmer started work at the Roundway Hospital, Devizes, in 1974 and now works with Avon and Wiltshire Primary Care Liaison Service in Swindon.

She was invited to a special reception at 10 Downing Street this month for the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

Jane said: "I was invited along with many other health service workers, with most of us unaware we had been invited until the Monday before the event.

"Theresa May came to speak to us, followed by then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who presented 40 of us with a badge to mark over 40 years' service in the NHS.

"There was a real sense of occasion and I am so honoured to have been invited."

After training in Devizes, Jane began working at St Margaret's Hospital, Stratton. She spent several years working at the Seymour Clinic, Bath Road, and in the community.

She eventually moved to work in Marlborough and Devizes, before retiring in 2013. It wasn't long before she returned to work part-time, first in Chippenham and then as a specialist nurse supporting older people in Swindon.

Jane said: “Over the 44 years I have worked in mental health I have seen many changes to the care provided to our service users. There is a great deal of work being done to ensure people with mental health issues get the care they need, when and where they need it. Much more support is provided in the community now and it’s so rewarding to be able to improve the quality of people’s lives.

“Working in mental health provides a wide and varied career. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 44 years so far and I would urge anyone thinking about a career in mental health to find out more about the types of roles available.”