A Durham nurse has been given the experience of a lifetime after she was named an NHS Hero and taken to Number 10 Downing Street to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the service.

Louise West, who works as a nurse at hospitals in Durham, was invited to spend the day in London after she was chosen by North West Durham MP Richard Holden to represent the constituency as an NHS Hero.

She was noticed for her hard work and quick thinking after a full fire alarm replacement meant that over 150 patients from Weardale Community Hospital had to be transferred to another hospital.

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After orchestrating the move, Louise was praised by her colleagues and the service and has been called a “real asset” to the NHS.

At the event, Louise reportedly had a “good chat” with Health Secretary Steve Barclay about what it is like being a nurse in the North East.

Following the memorable day, Louise said it was a “fantastic” opportunity to look inside Downing Street.

She said: “It was fantastic to go behind the scenes on Downing Street and see the rooms that run the country.

“It feels particularly good to know I’m here to represent my teams hard work. I know there are so many of my colleagues who deserve to be here too and this recognition is theirs.

“I had a good laugh with Richard but, above all, today was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Downing Street. It did not disappoint!”

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Following the visit, Richard Holden commended the work of Louise as well as the work of NHS staff across North Durham.

He said: “My mum is a ward clerk in an NHS community hospital too, so I know that nurses like Louise do a crucial job day in and day out. I’m so glad to be able to invite her into Downing Street to recognise the outstanding work she does in our NHS on its 75th anniversary.

“We had a great chat about our community as well as local NHS news like the brand-new replacement Hospital in Shotley Bridge the Government recently committed to funding.

“It was great that I could join Louise today. However, what’s truly remarkable is that there are so many deserving NHS heroes who do lifesaving work every day from North West Durham who could have been here too. I just don’t think they would have all fit in behind the big black door.”