Politicians and nursing leaders have paid tribute to the work of nurses on International Nurses Day, with especial gratitude being shown this year for their vital role within the NHS. Many have focused on the work that nurses have been doing in the current pandemic, as well as the feeling that the UK should not ‘return to business as usual’ once the crisis has passed and instead build on public goodwill to support nurses in the longer term.
Royal College of Nursing ‘This Nurses’ Day we want to say thank you to our amazing members and their colleagues for playing a vital role in the #COVID19 pandemic’.
Keir Starmer Leader of the Labour Party: ‘This #InternationalNursesDay I would like to say thank you to all of our incredible nurses. We can’t go out and clap for them every week, but then return to business as usual after this crisis. We owe them so much more than that’.
Matt Hancock Secretary of Health: ‘On International Nurses Day we want to thank nurses across the country for all you’re doing – particularly at this time’.
United Nations ‘Amid #COVID19, nurses around the world are showing courage and dedication and suffering personal sacrifice to provide essential care services’.
Sadiq Khan Mayor of London: ‘#InternationalNursesDay, we come together to appreciate the dedication of our nurses and carers. It’s vital we don’t just applaud them, but do right by them and their profession. To every nurse, carer, midwife and healthcare assistant: thank you’.
Ruth May Chief Nursing Officer: ‘Today we mark the 200thanniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, as well as the extraordinary work all those who have followed in her footsteps are doing in the fight against coronavirus’.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council ‘Whether you work in clinical practice, education, leadership, public health, policy, research or management, you are the bedrock of our health and care system and on the front line of a fight which affects us all’.