Saturday 5 May and Saturday 12 May marked international celebratory days for our midwives and nurses – a time to reflect on the importance and profound role midwives and nurses perform, caring for people the world over.
As a Registered Nurse of over 30 years’ experience, I want to take this opportunity to extend my thanks, as well those of my fellow directors, for your efforts, hard work and dedication. Your expertise is hugely important, and as an integral part of the caring team, it’s no exaggeration to say that the NHS could not function without you.
I began my nursing career in 1985, qualifying from the Sheffield School of Nursing. Like many young people, I had no great ‘masterplan’, however with family members and friends within the profession, I found myself drawn to the job and later found a hugely rewarding career.
Like most professions, midwifery and nursing are ever-evolving roles, and so much has changed since I qualified. Today’s midwives and nurses are no longer confined to old-fashioned stereotypes, instead providing crucial experience and insight in numerous roles from education, health promotion, research and leadership. The role doesn’t stop at the bedside, but now influences legislation, changes how health care is delivered and helps to prevent disease and infection.
Evidencing this, at this Trust, I believe we are hugely privileged to count a number of nurses in our senior leadership posts. Whether it’s members of our executive team such as Richard Parker, Chief Executive, David Purdue, Chief Operating Officer, and Marie Purdue, Director of Strategy and Transformation, senior leaders within our Training and Education Team such as Dr Sam Debbage, Deputy Director of Education, or recent appointees, such as Pat Drake, Non-Executive Director – all provide crucial insight and invaluable experience, learnt within the ward and applied throughout the organisation to great effect.
This is further complimented by the expertise we can count on within our midwifery and nursing teams who care for patients daily. Whether it is the expertise and specialism of individuals like Dr Lee Cutler, Nursing Consultant, the inspirational teaching of educators like Julie Shaw, Educational Lead, or the fresh enthusiasm of those relatively new to the profession, such as Max Bartle, a staff nurse on Mallard Ward who is just beginning his career – I’m humbled to call you colleagues, and sincerely wish I could list you all individually, such is the credit you deserve.
When you become a midwife or a nurse, you’re entering a tradition, typified by icons such as Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole, and defined by modern professionals who lead in wards and departments up and down the country. Your importance cannot be underplayed and I want to take this moment to thank each and every one of you.
Moira Hardy,
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals