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Posted on 10 May 2024

International Nurses’ Day is celebrated on 12 May, which marks not only the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth but also Mary Seacole, both who were early nursing pioneers at the forefront of caring for patients since the Crimean war.

The theme this year is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care’.

We have over 3100 nurses at the Trust and celebrate and acknowledge each and every one of them. Nursing is a very special profession, providing care for patients when they are at their most vulnerable and making a difference to their lives and those of their families and loved ones.

Diane Hull, Executive Director of Nursing, AHPs and Quality, shares a thank you message to all our nursing colleagues, reflections on nursing as a career and the nurses that have made a difference to her life.

 

As part of our celebrations for International Nurses’ Day, we’re sharing stories from patients about the care they have received from our wonderful nurses and how they have made a difference to their lives. You can read some of these below:

 

Katharine has saved my life

Katharine Dale is a Community Matron and has been supporting John with a heart condition and diabetes for seven months. During a visit, she recognised how unwell John was and called an ambulance, which ultimately led to John having a pacemaker fitted which highly likely saved his life. When Katharine visited, she noticed he was extremely tired, more breathless than normal, had a slow heart rate and low oxygen saturations. 

John said “Katharine saved my life. Her support has been brilliant. I couldn’t have managed without her. She is one of the best things that’s happened to me.” You can read John’s full story here.

 

Claire has been there through the good and bad and has been absolutely amazing

Kieran has received outstanding care from Claire Litchfield, Specialist Learning Disability Community Nurse over the past 18 months. Claire supports Kieran as he has mild learning disability, helping him manage his physical and mental health, as well as substance misuse, including linking in with other professionals he needed for help. 

On one routine home visit to see Kieran, Claire recognised he was extremely unwell. Kieran has diabetes and when she arrived he was in and out of consciousness, with his eyes rolling to the back of his head. Kieran would often object to staff checking his blood sugars, but she insisted they tested these and call an ambulance. It’s highly likely without attending hospital he would have gone in to a diabatic coma.

Keiran said “I found it very difficult to trust people, but I trusted Claire. She has been there through the good and the bad and she has been absolutely amazing. She goes out her way to help me, and she makes me smile.” Read Kieran’s full story here.

You can read more comments from patients about the care they have received on our social media channels @nottshealthcare on X (Twitter), @nottinghamshirehealthcare on Facebook and on our dedication International Nurses’ Day page on our website.