Child Health Services
International Nurses Day and Nursing
Now NI Campaign Week 2019
Celebration
Londonderry Primary School, May 2019
Nursing Now Northern Ireland was launched in January 2019 and aimed to raise the profile and
status of nurses and the vital role it plays in improving health with the values of care and compassion.
International Nurses Day was celebrated during the week of 12 May 2019 to commemorate and mark
the birth of Florence Nightingale and the nurses' contributions towards people's health. The theme for
the day was 'Nurses - A Voice to Lead - Health for All'.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust School Nurses' Celebration with Nursing Now took
place in partnership with Londonderry Primary School, Newtownards.
Sixty children from Primary 2 enjoyed an interactive morning focused on nursing, engaging with the
Trust nurses from a variety of backgrounds and nursing themed activities. This fun morning involved
the children dressing up as a nurse for the day (and the teachers too!) and bringing their sick teddies
for some light hearted interaction with the Trust nurses and teachers.
Free books from Book Trust, mini teddies and gadgets were gifted to the children. A fun morning was
had by all.
Principal Jillian Wallace was delighted to welcome Nurse Ambassador TV's Sarah Travers to open
the event. Chief Nursing Officer, Charlotte McArdle; Director of Nursing, Nicki Patterson and
Assistant Director, Julia Lewis interacted with the children and enjoyed the 'Puppet in Scrubs' show
by Health Visitor, Ross Mawhinney demonstrating the importance of washing hands. The children
were delighted to be presented with prizes.
All credit to all those who made the event memorable including Head of Service, Karen Elwood, the
School Nursing Team; Susan Henderson, Helen Hughes, Laura Meredith, Emma Gedge and Midwife
Julie Johnston-McKee.
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