At the afternoon tea to celebrate International Day of the Midwife in Parkes on Wednesday were (L-R) Tracey Barnden, Lorraine Goodrick, Caitlin Weber, Kris Smith and Jo Burke.
After a year like no other, the 53,000 nurses and midwives across NSW are being recognised for their vital work this month with International Day of the Midwife on 5th May, and International Nurses’ Day on 12th May.
“Our nurses and midwives have been agile, resourceful and shown skill, compassion and professionalism in challenging times – I would like to personally say thank you to each and every one of them for the critical work they do and the difference they make each and every day,” said Jacqui Cross, NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.
In Parkes the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) held an afternoon tea celebration on Wednesday to honour and thank the work of nurses and midwives. WNSWLHD Acting Executive Director of Quality, Clinical Safety and Nursing, Jo Lemmich expressed her appreciation for the significant role nurses and midwives had played over the past 15 months in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“If ever there was a time to put the commitment and compassion of our nurses and midwives on the centre stage, it is now,” Jo said. “While many of us have been able to stay safe at home with our families, nurses have continued to come to work – for us. First in the COVID-19 testing clinics across the state and now in the delivery of vaccinations, and of course in all other areas of our health care system.
The Healing Hearts campaign will also run encouraging staff and the community to wear and post blue and purple hearts, representing the colours of nursing and mid-wifery on social media using the hashtags #IDM2021, #IND2021 and #Exceptional-Care.