NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY
CONGRATULATIONS to all our wonderful nurses and midwives. This year we celebrate the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and what a time to mark the service these dedicated and skilled professionals provide to us and our communities.
The coronavirus pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone, but none moreso than for our nurses and midwives.
Not only are they mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, children and grandparents, they are also on the frontline of this public health emergency.
The current coronavirus pandemic has dramatically highlighted how much we rely on their care and expertise.
Nurses and midwives have stepped up at a time when the community has needed them most, showing up on the frontline day in, day out during these worrying times.
Not that this is a surprise — we knew they would. We know they’ve dedicated their lives to helping people in times of their greatest need.
At times, this can all too easily be taken for granted. Not anymore.
Our nurses and midwives are there for us in our most heartbreaking, scary and happiest of times. At some stage, we’ve all been helped by a nurse or midwife or both, and we all owe a debt of gratitude.
So, I’d like to strongly encourage everyone to stop. Pause for one moment. Think about where you would be without the help of our nurses and midwives. And, if you get the chance, please say thank you in person.
I also pay tribute to the nurses and midwives across the world who have lost their lives while selflessly helping others.
As Secretary of the Department of Health, I couldn’t be prouder of all our health service workers at this critical time — but this applies especially to our nurses and midwives, who regularly go above and beyond.
Thank you to all nurses and midwives — we are all so grateful for you and the champion work you do.