International Nurses' Day celebrated at Springhill Hospice

Nurses celebrate Nurses' Day

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Springhill Hospice celebrated International Nurses' Day with local nurses, representatives from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk.

Nurses ran a cake stall and a raffle, and a special Nurses Day cake was cut by Mr Danczuk.

Janine Dyson, Regional Officer for Pennine and Cheshire RCN, said: “The day not only celebrates nurses’ achievements but their commitment in society.”

The significance of the day was echoed by full-time nurse and RCN Steward for the Pennine Acute Trust Joanne Heyworth.

She said: “International Nurses Day is fantastically important. It’s something we want to promote - that there’s a fantastic side of nursing.”

Commenting on today’s activities, Ms Heyworth added: “It’s been brilliant. It just goes to show that there are supporters out there.”

Kath Basquill, a Junior Ward sister at Springhill Hospice said: “I think it is really important for people out there to know what the nurses do, and it’s a time for us to reflect on what nurses do.”

International Nurses Day marks the birth of Florence Nightingale in 1820.

Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary said: “Nurses’ Day is an opportunity for all of us, whether we are patients, nurses or politicians, to reflect on the value of a profession whose worth is clearer than ever as we deal with an aging population who increasingly need care.”

Mr Danczuk refused to speak to Rochdale Online.