Beaudesert Hospital has been busy celebrating its nurses and midwives over the last couple of weeks during a year dedicated to both professions around the world.

Nursing and Midwifery Director Jacquie Smith said 2020 had been named Year of the Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Organisation which made acknowledging this year’s local nursing and midwifery award winners even more special.

She said International Day of the Midwife on May 5 and International Nurses Day on May 12 were always a wonderful way to share the incredible work nurses and midwives did every day with members of the community.

“This year especially I think many people have developed a greater understanding and appreciation for the work our health professionals do,” Ms Smith said.

She said Beaudesert Hospital Midwife of the Year Paula Basford and Nurse of the Year Tracee Hilder exemplified courage, compassion, empathy, integrity, respect and accountability in delivering the very best in patient centred care.

“We are extremely proud of all our nurses and midwives at Beaudesert Hospital who lead the way with amazing care of not only our patients but their families as well.”

Ms Smith said as this year marked the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, staff also enjoyed the chance to revisit the good old days and don some historical nursing uniforms and some old nurse hats which put a smile on patients’ faces.

“A big thank you must also go our hospital Auxiliary for baking some delicious nurse and midwife inspired cupcakes for our celebrations and Nancy Barnes from our community who made the hats.

“We appreciate all their support and the support of our entire local community which has shown our staff incredible love and support over the last several months where we have faced challenges unlike any other.”

“The celebrations and activities were just the tonic we needed.”