Jacqui Cross, Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, NSW Health: It’s wonderful to be here today to help celebrate International Nurses’ Day for 2021. And what a year it’s been.
Last year we put the spotlight on the absolute difference that nurses make each and every day. And we saw how they make such a huge contribution to our healthcare system more broadly. You were right at the centre of our response to the pandemic and now we see our nurses again involved at the frontline in the delivery of vaccinations while we continue the work in maintaining the health system here in NSW.
So today, more than any year, it’s really important that you reflect on the contribution that you make, the things that you learnt in 2020 that you can carry through into 2021.
Days like this give all of us the opportunity to reflect on the year that’s been, and think about the things that we want to achieve over the next 12 months and also to take some time to reflect on how we’ve been able to contribute. Think about our own professionalism, the difference that we make as nurses not only to our patients but to the healthcare system more broadly.
Nurse: I’m so pleased that you’re out here seeing how we do things.
Jacqui Cross: Oh, it’s really important. And there’s nothing like seeing it and hearing from you guys.
It’s now a great pleasure for me to able to get out and about a little bit more and talk to you – the nurses at the frontline and find out how things are for you and for you to share the stories about the contributions that you make.
It’s always such a privilege to hear about the work that you’re engaged in and what brings you to work each and every day.
I’m also very excited to announce that the nominations for the Excellence in Nursing & Midwifery Awards are now open and they're going to remain open until the end of June. So, please think about a nurse that you’d like to nominate.
You can go onto the NSW Health website, visit the nomination portal and put that nomination forward. So, there's lots to celebrate today. Please make sure you take time to thank yourselves, and to thank your colleagues and celebrate your outstanding achievements.
Hopefully, in your facilities there’s going to be an abundance of blue and purple hearts, the postcards, and celebrations. When you wear a blue and purple heart, you're saying thank you to your colleagues for the contribution that they make. Wear it proudly.
Little girl: Happy International Nurses’ Day!
Male consumer: Thank you very much
Hospital contractors: Thank you for your efforts
Patient: Thank you
Consumers: Thank you!
Little girl: Thank you for making me better.