OVER 650 nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers at Fairfield General Hospital are joining nurses across the country to celebrate National Nurses’ Day today.

The celebration, which takes place every year on May 12, commemorates the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.

2016 is the Royal College of Nursing’s centenary year, which makes this year’s celebrations even more special.

The nurses, midwives, healthcare support workers and student nurses at Fairfield General Hospital will be joining their colleagues at other Pennine Acute hospitals – The Royal Oldham Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary and community services – in hosting celebration stands on nursing through the decades, with nurses dressed in uniforms dating back to Victorian times.

The stands, which will be located in the education centre at the hospital, will have information on topics such as nursing courses and end of life care, as well as free gifts and thank you cards for patients and visitors to express how nurses have had an impact on their lives.

Andrea O’Connor, healthcare support worker in theatres at Fairfield General Hospital, said: “Having the ability, compassion and competence to care for my patients makes me proud to be in my profession.”

Gill Harris, chief nurse at Pennine Acute, added: “National Nurses’ Day is a brilliant way to celebrate the fabulous contribution our nurses and midwives make every day in delivering safe and compassionate care to our patients, carers and families.

"I am very proud to call myself a nurse and to be a part of such a great vocation. I know that people enter into the profession to make a difference to the people they serve, to care for them at every point of their lives when they need our support.

"Falling on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, the national day is an opportunity for both healthcare professionals and members of the public to thank all of them for their service and dedication."