A day to recognise our hard-working nurses
8 May 2008
Hunter New England Health is getting ready to recognise the value and achievements of its more then 7000 nurses, with two innovative events aimed at celebrating International Nurses Day on Monday (12 May).
As well as individual facilities holding their own events, such as barbecues, cricket matches and tai chi sessions throughout the week, celebrations will include the fourth annual Innovations in Clinical Practice Showcase to be held in Tamworth on Tuesday (13 May).
Director of Nursing and Midwifery Chris Kewley said the annual event, held the day following International Nurses Day, was a chance to showcase innovation and best practice amongst the Area’s nursing and midwifery workforce.
“The showcase will feature an address by Professor Donald MacLellan, NSW Health’s Area Performance Manager. Prof McLellan, who is also NSW Health’s State Program Director of Surgery, will speak about partnerships between doctors and nurses,” Mr Kewley said.
“The Innovations in Clinical Practice Showcase will also feature the official launch of the HNE Handover: Journal of Hunter New England Nursing and Midwifery.
“The bi-annual journal, to be produced in partnership with the University of Newcastle and the University of New England, will allow nurses and midwives to share their innovations, research findings and practices which have improved patient care or their career experiences.”
On Wednesday (14 May), nurses and midwives will be asked for their input into the strategic direction of Hunter New England Health’s Nursing and Midwifery Services beyond 2008 at the inaugural Nurses and Midwives Big Day Out, also to be held in Tamworth.
“These International Nurses Day events will allow nurses to come together and celebrate dedication to the profession while sharing the very best in innovative clinical practice and carving out the way forward for Nursing and Midwifery services into the future,” Mr Kewley said.
The theme this year is Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Primary Health Care which Mr Kewley said is a fantastic recognition of what nurses in rural and regional communities acheive every day.
International Nurses Day is an annual worldwide celebration of nursing, commemorated annually on 12 May - the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
Nurses will be celebrating International Nurses Day all over the Hunter New England Health next week including at the following hospitals and health services:
• John Hunter Hospital
• Tamworth Hospital
• Armidale Hospital
• Armidale Community Health Centre
• Merriwa Health Service
• Werris Creek Health Service
• Quirindi Health Service
• Wilson Memorial Community Hospital Murrurundi
• Scott Memorial Hospital Scone
• Narrabri District Health Service
• Moree District Health Service
• Guyra Multi-Purpose Service
• Gunnedah District Health Service
• Barraba Multi-Purpose Service
• Walcha Multi-Purpose Service
• Bingara Health Service
• Tenterfield Health Service
• Inverell District Health Service
• Glen Innes District Health Service
• Kurri Kurri District Health Service
• Maitland Hospital
• East Maitland Community Health
• Singleton Hospital
• Cessnock District Health Service
• Dungog Hospital
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767