Nurses, midwives and student nurses at Pennine Acute Trust to celebrate national Nurses’ Day

Louise Lewis, Jess Pollard, Phyll Atkinson (dressed as Florence Nightingale), Gillian Heath and Billie Barratt (dressed in 1940s nurse uniform)

Over 4,000 nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are joining nurses nationwide to celebrate national Nurses’ Day on Thursday 12 May.

The day which takes place every year on 12 May commemorates the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. It is a chance to celebrate the difference nursing staff make around the world and also a time for patients to thank nursing staff for their dedication and care.

2016 is the Royal College of Nursing’s centenary year which makes this year’s celebrations even more special.

The nurses, midwives, healthcare support workers and student nurses at each of the Trust’s hospitals – North Manchester General Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary and community services - are hosting celebration stands on nursing through the decades, with nurses dressed in uniforms dating back to Victorian times.

The stands will be of interest to patients, the public and other NHS staff. They will have information on free to access courses for nurses and healthcare assistants; end of life care; nurse revalidation advice; free gifts including trolley tokens, pens and tape measures and thank you cards for patients and visitors to express how nurses have had an impact on their lives. The event is being sponsored by Sidhil Doherty, providers of hospital/community beds and accessories.

Throughout The Pennine Acute Trust 4,094 nurses and midwives work in a variety of roles across wards and departments. Their jobs include general and surgical nursing, emergency care, outpatient clinics, district nursing and specialist nurse roles.

Dorothy Anderson, clinical nurse specialist - stoma at The Royal Oldham Hospital explained what makes her proud to be a nurse. She said: “Nursing means being there for the patients. Being supportive in different and emotional times and ensuring that they need me.”

Andrea O’Connor, healthcare support worker in theatres at Fairfield General Hospital said: “Having the ability, compassion and competence to care for my patients makes me proud to be in my profession.”

Louise Lewis, ward manager on J5 at North Manchester General Hospital added: “I feel privileged to be a nurse. I get to work with people from all walks of life and provide them with holistic care. Nursing allows me to do things for people that can impact them in ways they remember for a lifetime. For me, nursing is caring with both your heart and head.”

Gill Harris, chief nurse at Pennine Acute, said: “National Nurses’ Day is a brilliant way to celebrate the fabulous contribution our nurses and midwives make every day in delivering safe and compassionate care to our patients, carers and families. I am very proud to call myself a nurse and to be a part of such a great vocation. I know that people enter into the profession to make a difference to the people they serve, to care for them at every point of their lives when they need our support. Falling on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth the national day is an opportunity for both healthcare professionals and members of the public to thank all of them for their service and dedication. Thank you all!”

Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson, deputy chief nurse at Pennine Acute Trust, said: “Nurses and midwives play a significant role in caring for patients and their families. For me, nursing and midwifery is a privileged professional career and by celebrating National Nurses’ Day, we can all continue to appreciate and recognise the contributions and commitments of nurses and midwives everywhere.”