Yesterday, on International Nurses Day, which falls on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (PCI), Rt Rev Dr William Henry, spoke of his deep admiration for all nurses, especially at this current time.
Dr Henry said – “On a visit to Craigavon Area Hospital in January of this year, I said that ‘no one will go through life without needing the National Health Service, and everyone who gives of themselves for us, and our health, is well deserving of our support and our prayers.
“In the short time since, my appreciation for our health services, North and South, along with my overwhelming thankfulness for the work that our nurses do in hospitals, surgeries and care homes across Ireland, has grown and grown. It is an understatement to say that these are desperately challenging times, especially for our nurses on the front line, who face Coronavirus selflessly at close quarters each and every day.
Dr Henry concluded by saying, “They are in my thoughts and prayers, as are our nurses who continue to provide daily, routine care for patients, but who are also on that same frontline. As we acknowledge all our nurses on International Nurses Day, their skill, dedication and compassion, I believe that Florence Nightingale would have been proud of those who followed in her footsteps. A pride that is shared by my Church, and those beyond its bounds.”
Lindsay Conway, Secretary to PCI’s Council for Social Witness, which runs the denomination’s care homes said, “There used to be a general perception, which I personally didn’t subscribe to, that nurses were ‘doctors’ helpers’. Working with nurses in our nursing home and care homes, the community nurses, dementia nurses and those with other badly needed specialisms who care for those we care for, this could not be further from the truth. Nurses are a profession in their own right, who give of themselves to care for their patients and save lives. On this particular day, I would like to take this opportunity to add my praise and thankfulness to all those in the nursing profession who are valued more than they know.”
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