Celebrating International Nurses Day 2022 across Western Sydney Local Health District

International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May each year and is an important day to recognise the commitment, compassion, skill and professionalism of our nurses who continue to provide care for our patients.

The theme of this year’s International Nurses Day is: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health, with the focus is on continuing to build a highly qualified nursing workforce to transform health systems to meet our communities’ health care needs into the future. 

Since her 2019 appointment to WSLHD Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance director, Caroline Farmer has given a gift to WSLHD nurses and midwifes to say thank you and celebrate International Nurses Day and International Day of the Midwife.

This year, as a token of appreciation of the hard work nurses conduct around the clock, all nurses and midwives were gifted blue fob watches.

“Nurses are there to support patients, their carers and families at some of their most vulnerable times and play a vital role in how care is delivered across all aspects of the healthcare system,” said Caroline.

“At Western Sydney Local Health District, we have over 5,000 nurses which form the backbone of our healthcare system, and this International Nurses Day, we celebrate and thank each and every nurse for their service and dedication.”

Celebrations across the district:

With some pep in their step, Hospital in the Home (HITH) clinical care team nurses welcomed in International Nurses Day with some singing in the rain!

At Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital, staff were celebrated with the 2022 BMDH Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, with winners as follows:

• Clinical Nurse of the Year – Jyoti Devkota, NUM A81 COVID Ward
• Midwife Role Model of the Year – Janelle Pierce, RM Antenatal Clinic
• Manager Nursing/Midwifery Role Model of the Year – Khris Lacampuingan, Acting Nurse Manager Critical Care
• Nursing Role Model of the Year – Paolo Rafael, RN Patient Flow. 

“Our nurses and midwives are truly the heart and soul of our hospitals,” said BMDH director of nursing and midwifery Marie Baxter.

“I’m proud and honoured to work with such a marvellous team of caring and compassionate staff who have the desire to make a difference in people’s lives.”

At Westmead Hospital, delicious smells poured from the Westmead Education & Conference Centre, with Westmead Association hosting a barbecue for staff.

“The Westmead Association, which consists of the doctors at Westmead Hospital, wanted to show their appreciation to all the nurses at Westmead hospital by putting on this fantastic BBQ,” said Westmead Association executive officer Georgette Hanna.

Westmead Hospital general manager Janelle Matic also jumped in to help serve the masses and fill the bellies of many hungry nurses.

Outside of WSLHD hospital walls, the population health team gathered at the Gungurra Centre in North Parramatta held a morning tea celebration to acknowledge the wonderful contribution of nurse team members.

“We have many nurses supporting population health in western Sydney, including in the school immunisation program, community immunisation, as well as communicable diseases,” said WSLHD Public Health Unit director Dr Shopna Bag.

“Our nurses have played a significant role in the COVID-19 pandemic response, from vaccination delivery to caring for our most vulnerable patients,” added Caroline.

“In spite of all the challenges over the last few years, the level of patience and compassion of our nurses and midwives would be viewed as heroic to anyone who is not in healthcare, but to any nurse or midwife it is all part of a day’s work.”