'I just want to say a huge thank you to them': Celebrating Northamptonshire's nurses on International Nurses' Day 2021

International Nurses' Day is seeing nurses across Northamptonshire recognised for the continued care and support they give to residents in need.

There are all kinds of nurses who work for the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) - these include community nurses, school nurses, learning disabilities nurses, mental health nurses, specialist palliative care nurses, infection prevention control nurses, specialised children's nurses and many more. Each and every nurse with their specialist skills plays a vital part in the NHFT but the past year has presented a whole new challenge for them.

NHFT chief nurse, Julie Shepherd and the Trust's senior nursing team asked a number of nurses what their proudest moment was during the coronavirus pandemic.

School nurse in Northampton, Grace, said: "I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’m most proud of over the last year – and it’s about being part of something bigger.

"Usually we work very closely within our individual teams but, during the pandemic, everyone has had to pull together to get the best outcomes for our population. We’ve shown how resilient we are and how transferrable our skills are.

"I was redeployed to Danetre hospital to support Community beds and, at the same time, we were working hard to innovate and adapt so we could still support our vulnerable families and children through the school nursing team. The good things that have emerged from this difficult time will remain.”

Chief nurse at NHFT, Julie Shepherd, was additionally presented with the Chief Nursing Officer's GOLD award this week.

Talking about this prestigious accolade, Julie said: “I was so surprised when Ruth May, chief nurse for England, joined the NHFT exec meeting this week to present the award - it brought tears to my eyes!"

The award was to recognise Julie's leadership at NHFT in achieving an 'outstanding care quality' commission rating during the last two inspections of the Trust in addition to her demonstration of leadership throughout the pandemic.

Julie continued: "I am so proud of each and every one of NHFT’s nurses and allied health professionals, as well as the wider Trust. This is real recognition for them and their amazing efforts.

"I am so pleased to be able to shine the spotlight on our nursing teams and the wider NHFT team today and just want to say a huge thank you to them for the difference they make every day as well as their commitment to service users and patients throughout the pandemic.”

You can follow more of the NHFT's International Nurse's Day celebrations by following their Twitter account: @NHFTNHS .