Thank you!

Tuesday 12 May 2020

Guernsey's nurses will be celebrated today as countries around the world mark International Nurses Day, which is seen by many as more poignant now than ever before.

The day is marked each year on 12 May and this year ties in with the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth.

Health & Social Care staff had planned a celebratory event for today, but that has had to be put on hold while all nursing staff focus on managing the covid-19 pandemic.

Pictured: Hospital staff are among those being celebrated.

"For the past four years, on 12 May, I would be looking forward to presenting awards for nurse, midwife and carer of the year, as well as tasting cakes and listening to the work of our health and care professionals," said President of HSC, Deputy Heidi Soulsby.

"This year is different. Covid-19 has meant that our health and care professionals are being celebrated across the globe on a daily basis. Never before have their skills, commitment and expert clinical care been so well publicised in the media."

Despite the change of plans, HSC staff have sent out a message of thanks to the Bailiwick community for its support over recent weeks.

Pictured: HSC staff have sent out thanks to the Bailiwick community.

"Whilst they want to thank you - the community - for your support, I would like to thank them, and everyone else in the Bailiwick at this time who are working so hard during these very challenging times," added Deputy Soulsby.

Not only is this International Nurses Day, but 2020 is the first designated global Year of the Nurse and Midwife.