NHS Tayside celebrates International Nurses Day on 12th May

International Nurses Day is celebrated every year around the world on 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. It recognises the incredible work nursing staff do caring for patients and their families.  

My own family has cause to give thanks in a big way; over the past three years my sister has undergone major surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy under the careful watch of Susan, Trish and the team; and my Mum spent 9 months in PRI stroke unit where she was looked after wonderfully by Bernie and the team.

This year’s theme is ‘nursing the world to health’, with a focus on the ‘true value of nurses to the people of the world’ - which feels like rather an understatement at this moment in time.

As I type, nurses across the globe are putting themselves in the frontline of the Coronavirus and ensuring we are all given the best level of care possible. They have all stepped up to the challenge of caring for people during these exceptional times.

They have all stepped up to the challenge of caring for people during these exceptional times. Nurses in hospitals and in communities provide high quality patient-centred care to patients and their families day-in, day-out. This celebration is an opportunity to shine a light on our amazing nursing staff who really do go the extra mile for their patients and their families - today and every day.

NHS Tayside’s Director of Nursing and Midwifery Claire Pearce said, “International Nurses Day is an additional opportunity to say thank you to our dedicated teams of nurses. The unique contribution of each nurse is vital for the people we care for and to the quality of nursing services provided.

“I am proud to be a nurse and wish to convey my personal thanks to nurses across Tayside for their commitment and professionalism.”

Staff across Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) marked the day by holding various activities on wards to acknowledge the important work of nurses.  From buffet lunches, cup cakes, home baking to treat boxes and pamper bags organised by nurses to say thank you to their fantastic colleagues.

The senior charge nurses and senior nurses brought in some tasty home baked treats for ‘afternoon tea’  bags to thank their teams for the hard work they do which made them realise just how hard catering for 90 people is!

Nurses at PRI also showed their appreciation for the leadership and support given to them by their senior charge nurses with specially-created cupcakes from a local bakery in Perth.

Staff at PRI also had a chance to view some older style nurses uniforms which were on display. Patients were also included in the celebrations as they got busy making colourful bunting to decorate ward areas.

Nurses in Ward 32 Oncology Department at Ninewells developed a positivity tree to mark International Nurses Day. Staff were encouraged to share and reflect on their positive experiences of nursing.

Nursing staff in Ward 6 and the Centre for Brain Injury at Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee did not want the day to pass unrecognised and celebrated with lovely cup cakes and afternoon tea to mark the day.

I think I speak for all of us when I say, thank-you. We would be a far poorer Small City without the love, care and dedication of our NHS Tayside nurses. You are all amazing. Gillian Birrell Senior Nurse for Surgery and Orthopaedics at PRI said, “Today was a fantastic opportunity for all nurses to be recognised for the amazing work that they do every day. In these challenging times nurses have a vital role to play in providing patient-centre holistic care to all patients, not just to those who have COVID-19. 

“International Nurses Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work of all nursing teams right across NHS Tayside and recognise the caring and compassionate work they carry out every day for patients.”

I think I speak for all of us when I say, thank-you. We would be a far poorer Small City without the love, care and dedication of our NHS Tayside nurses. You are all amazing. 

I'll finish with one simple message. Please help our nurses and #StayAtHome.