Nurses past and present honoured on International Nurses Day

NURSES past and present were honoured at a North East care home for International Nurses Day.

Staff and former nurses who now live at The Oaks Care Home, on Durban Street, Blyth, Northumberland, were recognised for their hard work throughout their careers.

Resident Elsie Scattergood was a mental health nurse in Aberdeen. She said: “I loved being a nurse and worked really hard.”

Pat Whyatt was a paediatric nurse who worked in South Africa in her early twenties as well as the UK. She said: “I am very proud of this time in my life. I loved working with the little children. They were really beautiful.

“It’s lovely to honour all the nurses at The Oaks on Nurses Day as they all work so hard and care a lot about others.”

Residents handmade cards and gave boxes of chocolates to their carers, including management staff.

Clare Robson, deputy manager at The Oaks Care Home, said: “I have never received a gift for Nurses Day, so it was lovely to be recognised for my job.

“Being a nurse is important to me as I love to help people. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone is cared for with dignity in a person centred way, especially those at end of life.”

Among the other staff members to receive gifts were nurse Desiree Sampson and visiting community matron Yvonne Harrison also received chocolates.

Desiree said: “I especially loved the chocolates. It was lovely to get cards from the residents.”

Yvonne said: “I’m over the moon to be thought of. I have never had anything before for Nurses Day. It was very kind of everyone to think of me.”

Staff also surprised the home manager, Ann Mielnik, with a gift. She said: “I was surprised to receive my gift as to me it was all about the residents who were nurses and the staff and visiting professionals.

“It’s the little things that mean a lot and the staff remembering me as the nurse I am was humbling.”

International Nurses Day was also celebrated at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, where district nurses and community matrons who visit the home were recognised.

The afternoon tea, held in the home’s bistro, included sandwiches, cakes, lattes and cappuccinos, as a thank you for the nurses hard work.

Residents also gave their carers gift bags containing chocolates and mini bottles of wine.

Jessica Brown, home manager at The Beeches Care Home, said: “We wanted to show our thanks to all the hard working nurses, including staff and visiting professionals, who care for our residents at The Beeches.”

The Oaks Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.