Bristol nurses and midwives gather for service of celebration

Nurses and midwives from across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire gathered for a celebratory service at Bristol Cathedral.

It was the first time that Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, Bristol NHS Group, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership and Sirona care & health have organised a dedicated service to celebrate the commitment of nurses and midwives in caring for people across the area.

Held on the eve of today’s International Nurses’ Day, the service included representatives from St John Ambulance, St Peter’s Hospice, social care, Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing, and the Royal Army Medical Service, as well as NHS colleagues.

Two reflections on ‘Why I am a Nurse’ and ‘Why I am a Midwife’ were given, drawing upon the readers’ personal experiences and the journeys that had brought them to their chosen professions – one that for many feels more like a calling than a career. They also reflected on the incredible diversity of roles taken on by nurses and midwives both across the professions and by each individual over the course of their career, or even within a single day.

A poem by Sukina Noor, Bristol City Poet, was specially commissioned for the occasion and reflected on all the quiet, often forgotten ways nurses and midwives care for each of us throughout the course of our lives.

The family of May Tanner, Bristol Royal Infirmary’s first Black ward sister, were in attendance, with her granddaughter carrying one of two candles presented at the Millennium Altar in celebration, remembrance, and gratitude. They were accompanied by Bristol Cathedral choir in a touching moment of reflection for all those gathered.

The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Henry Michallat, and Anne Nisbet DL, High Sheriff of Bristol, were in attendance, as were representatives from Southmead Hospital Charity and Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity who supported the event. We’d like to thank them for their support, as well as that of Equans, ID Medical, The Hospital Company and Pinkmans, who all provided donations.

Rosi Shepherd, Chief Clinical Leadership and Delivery Officer (Nursing) at NHS Gloucestershire ICB and NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB Cluster, said:

“The celebration at Bristol Cathedral gave us a valuable opportunity to pause and recognise the brilliance of our nursing and midwifery professions, and the extraordinary difference they make to people’s lives every day.

“Nurses and midwives are there for people throughout every stage of life - supporting communities, bringing new lives into the world, caring for people through illness and recovery, and being present at the end of life with compassion and dignity. This event was about thanking and celebrating every nurse and midwife across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire who bring such dedication to their work every day.”

Bristol NHS Group’s Chief Nursing and Improvement Officer, Professor Steve Hams, who has been a nurse for 30 years, said: “I am honoured to be marking my first International Nurses’ Day as Chief Nursing Officer for the hospitals of Bristol and Weston, and what a way to celebrate my nursing and midwifery colleagues who show their brilliance, care and compassion to our patients every day.

“It was fantastic to bring together nursing colleagues from across the Bristol area to celebrate our profession in the city’s cathedral and pause and reflect on what we do.”

Mary Lewis, Chief Nurse and Allied Health Officer at Sirona care & health, said: “It was a real privilege to come together at Bristol Cathedral for our Celebration of Brilliance to celebrate the extraordinary contribution nurses and midwives make every day across our communities. This event was about shining a light on the difference our colleagues make to people, families and communities.

As Chief Nurse for community services, I felt immense pride seeing so many colleagues recognised and celebrated by peers, leaders, and partners. Nursing and midwifery are professions built on care, skill and commitment, and this event reminded us of the strength and brilliance that exists across our services.”

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust’s Chief Nursing Officer, Sarah Jones, said: “It was humbling to represent all the wonderful nurses from AWP at the event and to celebrate the high quality and compassionate care that they provide each and every day. It was a delight to be joined by so many other nurses and midwives, and to hear their stories and experiences. To be joined by so many from our local community made the coming together to celebrate even more special. I hope this is the first of many.”