The Isle of Man is once again marking International Nurses Day, held annually on 12 May, with a series of events to celebrate the work of the Island’s nursing professionals.
This year’s theme from the Royal College of Nursing is #nurseheros – with the aim of using the day to highlight the difference nurses make to people’s lives.
Minister for Health and Social Care, Kate Beecroft MHK, joined nurses and senior managers at one of the celebration events to express her thanks to nurses who work across the Island’s health and social care services in both the public and private sectors.
The Minister said:
“It is all too easy to take for granted the tireless work of the Island’s health and social care professionals, so I welcome events like today, where we have the opportunity to take some time to say thank you for their hard work and dedication.
“Nurses are a lynchpin of our health and social care system, which simply could not function without them. Their care, compassion and professionalism make a world of difference to everyone in our community and it is my pleasure to be able to thank them for their significant contribution.”
Although often associated with hospital care in the mind of the public, nurses play a wide role across the Island’s health and social care services including in the community setting, mental health and nursing in care homes.
Chief Nurse for the Isle of Man, Linda Radcliffe, said:
“Nurses – like all care professionals – place the interests and care of others at the centre of everything they do. It’s therefore fitting that each year we give the public and colleagues the opportunity to pay tribute and recognise their nursing heroes. Today is a celebration for nurses everywhere who have made a difference to people’s lives and as Chief Nurse I would like to put on record my sincere thanks for the work of every nurse on our Island.”
Events include various displays in Noble’s Hospital, Manannan Court, Keyll Darree, and Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital where the public and colleagues have the opportunity to express what their nurse hero means to them. There are also visits by managers to various sites such as district nursing offices and the Isle of Man Prison to hand out cakes and chocolates to nursing staff.
Hansard International has kindly donated chocolates for nurses as a thank you and radio station 3 FM will distribute these across the Island during the day.
