There can be few more valued professions than nursing and, in honour of yesterday’s International Nurses Day, we’re looking back at those in Cumbria.
The day is celebrated on May 12 to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, and since 1988 has been given a theme by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
This year’s was ‘the economic power of care’, announced by president Dr Pamela Cipriano. She said it was chosen to highlight the need for nursing to be seen as an investment, instead of a cost. Dr Cipriano said she hoped the theme could raise the profile of underfunding in nursing. “Despite being the backbone of healthcare, nursing often faces financial constraints and societal undervaluation,” she said. “We believe now is the time for a shift in perspective.”
Nurses in the county have certainly been valued down the years and our main picture shows some of those on duty at Furness General Hospital in March 1988.
Above are Anne Blair, left, manager at Silloth Nursing and Residential Care Home, and Sister Linda Faulder, who, in 2016, were celebrating winning the National Care Home of the Year award and the Gold Beacon Award for Palliative Care.
Cumbrians have always been keen to raise funds to support our nurses and, following a sponsored walk, Kerry Wilkinson (pictured centre) and her friends presented £10,588 to the Breast Screening Clinic at West Cumberland Hospital. Cancer nurse Ann Cartmell (second left) actually took part in the walk herself.
In a similar vein, Paula Powley from Eastriggs raised £900 for Reiver House at the Cumberland Infirmary.
A picture from the First World War shows Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse Jean Johnstone, who worked at Murrell Hill Hospital.
In another old photograph, from 1974, nurses from the geriatric ward at the City General Hospital, Carlisle, take delivery of harvest festival goods from Norman Street Primary School children. Don’t they look young!
Student nurses Lisa Smythe, Rukhsar Younas and Lauren Bruntnell raised funds for a work experience trip to Tanzania in 2017 and staff from The Cumbria Partnership Foundation Trust attended a nursing conference at Rheged.
Our final picture shows nurses who received prizes at the annual Carlisle Nurse Training School awards in 1973.
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