11 May 2020
Across the world, nurses are playing a crucial role in providing healthcare for patients in the most challenging of times in recent memory. Now, more than ever, their roles are being celebrated and will be recognised on International Nurses Day 2020 on Tuesday, 12 May.
Jersey’s Chief Nurse, Rose Naylor, said: “Nurses across the island, wherever they work, whether that is in the Hospital or in the community, are undergoing what is perhaps one of the biggest challenges of their careers when caring for patients during the global outbreak of coronavirus. Their resilience, dedication and versatility making a real difference within cities and communities around the world as we face this challenge together. Seeing the public express their gratitude to healthcare professionals continues to be appreciated and incredibly empowering for staff.
“It is also fitting that on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, Jersey has its own, temporary, Nightingale Wing of the General Hospital, ready to care for Islanders if needed.”
Nurses within Health and Community Services have been redeployed to different wards, prepared to refresh and renew their skills and many have voluntarily returned to the service. Registered nurses and other healthcare professionals have returned to practice in Jersey to help fight COVID-19, after the Government put out an open call for the return of healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, at Jersey Hospice Care and Family Nursing & Home Care, nurses continue to provide hospice services, community nursing and home care to islanders of all ages who need it.
A campaign was launched on 9 March with Jersey Hospice Care and Family Nursing & Home Care to celebrate the work of Jersey’s nurses and midwives as the World Health Organisation (WHO) have designated 2020 to be the first ‘Global International Year of the Nurse and Midwife’. Adverts promoting Jersey’s nurses and midwives are in the current editions of Our Island, Capital and Gallery magazines.
Bronwen Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer from Family Nursing & Home Care, said: “I could not be more proud of the dedication and professionalism our nurses are showing at this incredibly challenging time as they continue to visit those we look after at home. Everyone is playing their part, and they are not only offering their patients incredible care, but also vital emotional support and reassurance.
“It is really heartening to see nurses across the world unite to provide such care in this time of need. 2020 really is an important year to celebrate nursing and the role that nurses are playing in the fight against coronavirus is at the forefront of the delivery of care.”
Emelita Robbins, Chief Executive of Jersey Hospice Care, said: “Death and dying has been thrust centre stage during the pandemic and the response of every country’s healthcare system is under the spotlight. At Hospice we have changed the way we work, deployed additional nurses to work on the In Patient Unit and restructured the activity of our specialist palliative care nurses so that they can work alongside GP colleagues and healthcare professionals from Family Nursing & Home Care and Health and Community Services to nurse patients with the coronavirus in the community or hospital.
“Collaborating this way enables nursing care to be offered in the community around the clock; it’s a huge achievement and greatly enhances the care offering in Jersey. Today is about celebrating the amazing nurses in our island and expressing our gratitude for their much needed knowledge, skills, compassion and expertise.”
gov.je