We’re giving a Big Shout Out to all of our nursing colleagues this International Nurses Day
Celebrating the ongoing care and commitment of our nurses and health support workers.
Every year International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May, and this year it marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.
In what has been an extraordinary year for health and care colleagues around the world, we want to acknowledge the heroic efforts of our many nurses and health support workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cathy Woffendin, Executive Director of Nursing Quality and Professions, at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I would like to say an enormous thank you to all of our staff in the organisation who have worked tirelessly to ensure patient safety and care has not been compromised throughout the pandemic. In particular our nurses have been involved in some incredibly valuable partnership working with many teams including infection prevention and procurement to maintain PPE stocks and safe working practices.
“I have been amazed at how everyone has worked above and beyond, which at times seemed humanly impossible, showing tremendous passion, commitment and resilience which makes me very proud to be a part of this organisation and also a Director of Nursing in the NHS.”
Nichola Sanderson, Deputy Director of Nursing at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, added: “Our nurses and health support workers have been working shoulder to shoulder with our allied health professionals, doctors, pharmacists and support staff to provide safe, reliable and effective care to our patients and service users.
“They have done this with strength, grit, determination and great leadership to meet the extraordinary demands of the pandemic and it is only right that we take a moment to acknowledge these efforts and say thank you.”
We’ve been asking our colleagues across the Trust to tell us about a nurse who has inspired them or to share an example of good nursing practice they’ve seen or learnt from. Here is just a selection of what has been shared:
Harriet Burrows who works on Ward 5 at the Becklin Centre would like to recognise nurse Rebecca Nshuti (pictured below) who also works on Ward 5. Harriet said:
“Rebecca is a wonderful nurse, who is incredibly warm, full of life and has such a big heart. There isn’t one day that she doesn’t come into work with a smile and a big hello to everyone. No matter what might be happening on the ward, Rebecca is always there trying to look after everyone and put them first. She is fondly referred to as a mother to so many of our staff but most importantly she is a source of great strength and support for many of our patients. She is an inspiration to me and so many of our colleagues and Ward 5 is very lucky to have her.”
Patrick Goulden, a Charge Nurse on Ward 3 at the Newsam Centre said:
“I’d like to highlight the Forensic Management Team at the Newsam Centre – Claire Layton, Kirstin Gillatt, Andrea Arundel, Emma Brookshaw and Andy Boggon.
“The past year has proved to be an unprecented demand on all the NHS Services across the country, and I have been especially grateful for such consistently excellent help, support and advice from all my colleagues – but these five individuals in particular deserve recognition for their outstanding contribution to keeping those around them motivated, productive, and above all else – happy in their jobs throughout an extraordinarily demanding time. The service would not be where it currently stands without their commitment and dedication. With grateful thanks and best wishes.”
Emma Brookshaw, a Clinical Team Manager on Ward 2 at the Newsam Centre has said:
“I am honoured and proud to work alongside such a caring, compassionate and friendly team. It has been a difficult year but we have made it through as a team and it has made us stronger then ever. Here is a collage of some of the amazing staff on Ward 2 A&T”
Nicola Clough, a Health Support Worker on our Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit said:
“I would like to give a shout out and huge thanks to our ward manager Neil Holmes who has always been supportive to us all and to me. In particular, at the start of the pandemic, he went above and beyond to make sure I was provided with face masks which would fit my small head properly. But his support has also extended to beyond the workplace, especially when I had an accident with a soup maker at home and he made sure to ring me every day to offer me his support.”
Neil Holmes, Ward Manager in PICU has shared his thoughts about a colleague who inspired him:
“Alan Burnley was always prepared to lead by example and never lost sight of what being a nurse is supposed to be. Whether that was being confronted by dangerous situations with courage and confidence, or his admittedly tongue-in-cheek nursing model SANFAN (See A Need Fill A Need).
“Once, I remember two patients fighting and this made me feel frightened and anxious. I felt compelled to physically intervene to prevent someone from getting seriously hurt. Alan held me back, calmly walked over, and yelled in a schoolmaster’s tone, for them to “stop!”. Which to my surprise they did. I reflected on this and wondered if I would ever be able to be as composed and to show such good judgement. I have, as have many others, because Alan taught us to.”
Claire Layton, Matron for Leeds Forensic Services, wants to give a huge shout out to the clinical team managers in her service:
“These four fabulous nurses make up the team of clinical team managers in the forensic services for Leeds. They have worked tirelessly throughout this past year, showing adaptability and determination to continue to deliver great care to our service users despite the challenges that Covid brought us.
“They have worked together to support one another, adapted ways of working and continued to support both the inpatient and community teams in the service. I am proud to be part of such a wonderful, caring, kind and compassionate team and don’t tell them enough what a great job they do. Well done, you are truly amazing.”
The team on Ward 3 at the Newsam Centre have even written a poem about their manager Andy Boggon
We’re nominating Andy, our manager on Ward 3,
A short poem certainly isn’t enough, for everything we see.
Not only through recent times, but since he started here,
His compassion, care and humour has us smiling from ear to ear.
His commitment to patient care is completely next to none,
And throughout the recent pandemic his leadership has shone!
He walks on shift with a smile, every single day,
He’s always there to help, no matter what we say.
We know that being a manager is never an easy task,
But he always has a plan, for everything we ask.
We thank him for his support, which can never be repaid,
For all his efforts and help, and the difference these have made.
So Andy, on International Nurses Day,
Your team and service users would really like to say,
A great big thank you for everything you do,
The ward really wouldn’t be the same without you!