The Duke of Sussex meets patients, families and staff at Fisher House and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
The Duke of Sussex meets former Invictus Games competitors Dave Watson and Stuart Robinson at Fisher House, where both of their families stayed while they received treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
The Duke of Sussex, Founder and Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, visited Fisher House, the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham to mark one year to go until the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.
The visit recognised Birmingham's unique place in the recovery journeys of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. For many members of the Invictus Community, the city is where recovery first began following life-changing injuries sustained during military service.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine have provided world-leading specialist care to countless wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, while Fisher House has enabled families to remain together by providing free accommodation close to their loved ones throughout treatment and rehabilitation.
At Fisher House, The Duke met former Invictus Games competitors Stuart Robinson, Karl Hinett, Dave Watson and Gavin Saunders, all of whom received life-changing care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham while their families stayed at Fisher House during their recovery. Their stories reflected the vital role played not only by world-class clinical care, but by the unwavering support of families who are central to every recovery journey.
The Duke also met Kath Ryan, affectionately known as "Kath the Cake Lady", a Birmingham local whose extraordinary acts of kindness have supported the Armed Forces community for many years. Every week, Kath bakes cakes in her Birmingham home before visiting wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, offering comfort, conversation and a taste of home during recovery.
At Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, The Duke reunited former Invictus Games competitor Josh Boggi with members of the clinical team who cared for him following life-changing injuries sustained while serving in Afghanistan. Returning to Ward 412 for the first time since his injury, Josh was reunited with Squadron Leader Lauren Odell, the nurse he credits with helping save his life, in a powerful reminder of the lasting bonds forged through recovery. Lauren, who first cared for Josh as a junior nurse, revealed she had named her son Joshua in his honour.
Josh Boggi said:
"Nothing that I have done would have been possible without what happened here. Thank you."
Reflecting on the visit, The Duke of Sussex said:
"Places like Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Fisher House remind us that recovery is never something anyone does alone. Behind every wounded, injured or sick service person is a network of extraordinary medical professionals, families, carers and charities who help carry them through the hardest days. The care provided here goes far beyond treating physical injuries. It's about restoring confidence, rebuilding lives and making sure families can stay close when they are needed most. Fisher House plays a vital role in that journey, lifting some of the financial burden that comes with long periods of treatment so families can focus on what really matters — being together."
The visit demonstrated why Birmingham is the natural home of the Invictus Games in 2027. For many competitors and their families, the city represents the beginning of recovery. Next summer, they will return not as patients, but as competitors — celebrating how far they have come and inspiring others through the power of sport.
The Duke of Sussex joins former Invictus Games competitor Josh Boggi as he reunites with Squadron Leader Lauren Odell, the nurse he credits with saving his life, for the first time in 15 years.
The Duke of Sussex is welcomed by the senior leadership team of University Hospitals Birmingham on his visit to Ward 412 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
The Duke of Sussex meets clinicians and support staff on Ward 412, who work alongside NHS colleagues to provide specialist care for wounded, injured and sick military patients.