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Community doctor attends Royal Garden Party and meets The Duchess of Cambridge

Posted on Monday 30th May 2022
Dr Bidisha Lahoti in a red floral dress and red jacket smiling at the camera at the royal garden party

Dr Bidisha Lahoti at the Royal Garden Party.

Dr Bidisha Lahoti, our Clinical Director for Children’s Community Services, attended the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 18 May.

Dr Lahoti met with our Royal Patron, The Duchess of Cambridge, and spoke about the growth of Evelina London and the importance of early childhood development.

Bidisha joined Evelina London’s Children’s Community Services in 2005, and has been Clinical Director for the past six years. She was nominated to attend the celebration in recognition of her dedication to supporting children and young people in the local community.

On her meeting with The Duchess of Cambridge, Bidisha said: “It has been a great honour to meet our Patron who is so passionate about optimising early development. She sent her best wishes to all of my colleagues who work at Evelina London.”

Working in Sunshine House, Bidisha cares for children and young people with complex neurodevelopmental disabilities and needs. She works with a large team of specialised colleagues including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, community nurses, dieticians, the hospital-based neurodisabilities team, child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS), and social care.

Bidisha said: “Working in the community with children, young people, and their families is hugely rewarding. Over the years, I have met the most incredibly brave children, amazing parents and supportive siblings. It is a great privilege to be involved in their care throughout their childhood. My ongoing endeavour is for our services to provide the best possible care to children with special needs and other vulnerabilities.

“Children and young people with neurodisabilities and their families have to face many challenges, as these are often long-term conditions that require varying levels of support throughout life. Our role is to identify any developmental, physical, medical, educational and social issues that can affect a child’s wellbeing and long-term potential. We signpost families to other services they may need to access, and coordinate wider support with agencies such as social care and education. The focus of management is on maximising a child’s wellbeing and development so that they achieve their potential.”

The Duchess also met with some of the Children’s Community Services team in 2019, when she visited Sunshine House in Peckham.

Her Royal Highness became Patron of Evelina London in 2018. You can read more about The Duchess’ Patronage and support for Evelina London on our Patronage page.