TWO staff members from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will join NHS workers from across the country at a special 70th anniversary ceremony at Westminster today.

Divisional education lead at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Ariel Lanada, and matron at the Horton General Emergency Department, Michelle Brock, have been selected to represent the 12,000 staff employed by the trust.

Mr Lanada who is originally from the Philippines joined the trust in 2002.

After moving to England he began working as a Band 3 nurse at the John Radcliffe before progressing his way up the ranks.

His role is now to help train other staff members, while also helping with recruitment from overseas.

Mr Lanada also helps other foreign workers integrate into the community through the Filipino Community of Oxford group, of which he is president.

He admitted he was ‘surprised’ and ‘flattered’ to be selected to represent the trust.

He said: “It speaks volumes about the values of the trust in terms of recognising its staff and recognising the contributions of BME staff.

“I’m very, very proud to be a member for the NHS and we are very lucky to have it.”

Michelle Brock, originally from Bicester, began working for the National Health Service in 1979 at the age of 17.

She worked as a trauma and orthopaedic nurse at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and the John Radcliffe before becoming a matron.

She said: “I have always been an NHS nurse.

“I love the fact that we give the same care to everybody.

“I’m a strong believer in providing the best care for the people who need it, regardless.

“It’s very flattering to have been asked to go to the ceremony.”

Chief executive at OUH Dr Bruno Holthof said: “It was very difficult to have to pick out just two people to represent all our staff but Michelle and Ariel have both worked for the trust for a number of years and their commitment to excellent care, and the way that they lead and support their colleagues is widely recognised.”