International Nurses’ Day was marked by all 21 Colten Care homes with presentations of gifts and cakes to nursing staff while observing social distance restrictions.

This special International day takes place each year on the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the famous ‘Lady with the Lamp’ often cited as the founder of modern nursing.

The commemoration this year not only marks the 200th anniversary of her birth, but also coincides with International Year of the Nurse, and the occasion has taken on even greater significance with the focus on nursing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Colten Care operations director and registered nurse, Elaine Farrer, said, “As we stand united in our response to this global threat, it’s more important than ever to highlight and appreciate the remarkable work nurses do every day.

“International Nurses Day gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary value that nursing brings to hospital patients, care home residents and others in the community.

“By providing the highest standards of professional nursing here at Colten Care, we help our residents to lead lives that are as full, and fulfilling, as possible.”

At each home, nurses were presented with cakes baked specially for the occasion by Colten Care’s in-house chefs.

Nurses also received a personal card from their home managers along with pens and canvas carrier bags bearing the message ‘Proud to be a Nurse’.

Colten Care employs RGNs (registered general nurses) and, at its dementia care homes, RMNs (registered mental nurses).

They provide dedicated, round-the-clock clinical support to help with most conditions associated with care of older people.

Elaine Farrer added, “In a recent survey of our nurses, more than nine out of ten say they feel valued in their home team and have the variety and freedom to provide consistently good care, putting residents first.”