RUSSIA: MOSCOW: BRITAIN’S PRINCESS DIANA VISIT

(15 Jun 1995) Russian/Eng/Nat Britain’s Princess Diana arrives in Moscow on Thursday, fulfilling a long-held ambition to go to the Russian capital. One of the highlights of her trip will be a visit to a children’s hospital. The Princess is the patron of Tushinsky hospital - which is preparing to give her a warm welcome. Princess Diana, seen here on a trip to Japan earlier this year, is due to arrive in Moscow on Thursday afternoon. . On Friday she will visit Tushinsky hospital - one of Moscow’s most prestigious centres for treating children’s illnesses. Built in 1984, the hospital can treat up to 850 children using the most up-to-date equipment. Tushinsky’s association with Britain and the Royal family dates back to 1987 when children hurt in the Armenian earthquake disaster were brought there for treatment, attracting the attention of the Queen. Eight years later and Princess Diana will see the hospital of which she is patron. Three British nurses have been based at the hospital for almost a year, showing the Russian staff their own methods. All are looking forward to the Royal visit. SOUNDBITE: (English) Everybody’s very excited, it’s wonderful. The children are very excited, aren’t you Yulia, about Princessa? Yeah, everybody’s very excited, it’s going to be wonderful SUPER CAPTION: Jayne Harris, British nurse The influence of the British nurses has been felt and welcomed by patients and parents alike, who see a big difference in methods of treatment. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Yes, there’s a difference. The British nurses talk to the children, play with them, especially the little ones. They spend more time with the children. SUPER CAPTION: Elena Rudnikova, mother of patient The Princess of Wales will be paying her first visit to the hospital since becoming patron last year. She will meet children in the pathology ward as well as the teaching centre. Staff are looking forward to her arrival. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Diana will see, we will show her our hospital which she has not yet seen, we will tell her what we do here, show our hospital and tell about our life here. SUPER CAPTION: Dr Yuri Pavlov, senior doctor Tushinsky hospital But what they won’t do is ask the Princess for money. The hospital has all the equipment it needs. For them, British know-how is far more valuable than cash. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) No, that’s not the main thing. Even the most expensive equipment can break in a year. Our main task is to take the best Britain can offer in terms of teaching and experience. SUPER CAPTION: Dr Yuri Pavlov, senior doctor To that end the hospital has opened a teaching centre which will train Russian nurses to specialise in children’s illnesses. The centre, which was opened earlier this year, can teach up to 130 nurses. They start training on baby dolls - but with the help of the British nurses they’ll soon be treating real-life patients. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: