International Nurses Day 2023
Celebrating LYPFT Nursing Colleagues
International Nurses Day (12 May) is an annual opportunity to thank, recognise and celebrate nursing colleagues and Cathy Woffendin, LYPFT’s Director of Nursing, Professions and Quality would like to pay a personal tribute to all our nursing colleagues: 
“This year’s International Nurses Day is particularly poignant as it also marks the NHS 75th Anniversary , but on a personal level it provides an opportunity for me to say an enormous thank you to each and every nurse, nursing associate and student nurse. Also for the care and compassion you show each day to our service users, their families and loved ones as well as the impact and difference you make in advocating and playing a key role in the delivery of their care and recovery at the most vulnerable times of their lives.
“Key to the NHS success is its workforce. As the largest professional group in the NHS, nurses have always been an integral part of this. I have seen many examples of this in LYPFT throughout the last 5 years, through positive role modelling , care and compassion , strong leadership, and relentless quest to always put the service user and family at the centre of everything we do. I however recognise the many relentless challenges we have all had to overcome through the various iterations of Covid. Also ongoing national workforce issues and industrial action disputes have continued to impact on morale . Despite all of this you all continue to smile brightly, continue to innovate and show strength and determination of which I feel an unforgettable gratitude to you all.
“I personally am immensely proud to have worked as a nurse in the NHS for 39 years. I can honestly say if I had my time again I would not choose to do anything else , its been a wonderful journey which I will treasure forever.
“As many of you are aware I am taking early retirement at the end of this month , so this will be my last chance to say THANK YOU of which never seems enough , I hope that you will take some time to reflect and realise how wonderful you all are and its been the greatest privilege to have worked with you all”.
Best wishes Cathy