NURSES, midwives and healthcare assistants in Coventry and across the globe united to mark International Nurses’ Day in recognition of their hard work.
The event was celebrated by staff at NHS bodies including University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHWC) NHS Trust last Friday (May 12).
The annual celebration also marked Florence Nightingale’s birthday – an iconic nurse who is seen as the founder of modern nursing.
The Florence Nightingale Nursing Excellence Award trophy was donated by the Midlands-based army 202 Field Hospital last year to give out every year at University Hospital.
This year the award was given to Senior Sister Sharon Beddows and her team in the day surgery unit for performing consistently well against UHCW’s nursing and midwifery top indicators of quality.
The team was recognised for how it worked in partnership to give compassionate high quality care.
The award was presented by UHCW’s chief nursing officer Nina Fraser at an event for representatives across the trust.
Carmel McCalmont, associate director of nursing for women, children and safeguarding and head of midwifery, spoke at an exclusive event in Coventry Cathedral.
She talked about her personal experience as a practicing nurse and midwife for over 30 years and about supporting student midwives at the trust.
The cathedral event was organised by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, Coventry University and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust for staff and students across the region.
Chief nursing officer Nina Fraser said: “The events for International Nurses’ Day 2017 have been a wonderful opportunity to recognise the contribution made by every nurse and midwife working for the trust.
“Every day our staff go the extra mile for patients, so this is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their hard work and dedication.
“The Florence Nightingale Nursing Excellence Award trophy was won by the day surgery unit this year recognising how the team have gone above and beyond to provide world-class care to all their patients.
“The day has been an amazing opportunity to let our nursing staff know that their efforts and expertise are greatly valued.”
