Nurses’ Day is a worldwide event held annually on 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, with the aim of celebrating the work of the nursing profession throughout history and in modern times. As this year the 12 May falls on a Sunday, nurses throughout the Island will mark the celebration by signing a Nursing and Midwifery Declaration on Monday, 13 May at Keyll Darree, Noble's Hospital.
This year, the Royal College of Nursing aims for Nurses’ Day to celebrate the ‘remarkable difference nursing makes’ to the lives of patients and their families, every day. In recognition of this, the Isle of Man’s Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Council (NMAC), which represents nurses and midwives in all settings and organisations throughout the Island, is launching a Nursing and Midwifery Declaration titled ‘Working with our Head, Hands and Heart’.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said:
'This is an important day for all nurses and midwives across our Island and the Declaration signed today underlines their professionalism and enthusiasm for their roles. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our nursing and midwifery professionals for the dedicated care and commitment they give to patients and their families. The Island’s nurses and midwives play a pivotal role in the delivery of quality care and we are proud of their contribution to the work of the Department.'
The Declaration, signed by nurses and midwives in the Isle of Man, reflects the commitment, passion and values that the profession strives to achieve, as well as ensuring that patients, their families and fellow staff are aware of the standards the profession adheres to. These include putting the patient first at all times, treating everyone with compassion and kindness, keeping patients, their families and fellow staff safe from avoidable harm, and having pride, passion and enthusiasm for the practice of nursing.
Dudley Butt MLC, Member for Health Services said:
'It’s easy to sometimes forget how wide the nursing and midwifery profession stretches across our Island community. This Declaration goes beyond Noble’s Hospital and includes District Nurses, Practice Nurses, School Nurses, Prison Nurses, Mental Health Nurses, Hospice nurses and nurses in care homes and Elderly and Mentally Infirm units. So it spans not only Government through the Department of Health and the Department of Social Care, but also the private and third sectors through the likes of Hospice Isle of Man and private care homes. Being able to bring this declaration forward and implement it so widely is testament to the hard work of the Island’s NMAC which continues to strive to deliver the very best care for the people of the Isle of Man.'
Bev Critchlow, Chief Nurse said:
'Celebrating Nurses’ Day by signing the Nursing and Midwifery Declaration is a wonderful way to show our commitment to providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. I am in contact with nurses and midwives from every sector, from the Hospital to Community and Mental Health to Midwifery, and I never fail to be impressed with their level of care, dedication and professionalism. The Declaration is our way of sharing this.'
Cath Quilliam, Director of Community Nursing said:
'I would like take this opportunity to personally thank community nurses for their continued caring and compassion for patients. I will be visiting community nursing bases across the Island throughout the week where we will be celebrating with tea, cake and thank you cards for all our staff.'
