On International Nurses Day the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has called on the community to acknowledge and celebrate the critical contribution nurses make in caring for the community each and every day.
Speaking at a press conference post Budget at Parliament House today, ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler took time to acknowledge nurses around the world and the work that do.
“Today is a day when around the globe we take a moment to reflect on the work that is done by nurses not just across this country but across every country across the globe,” she said.
“It could not be more greatly highlighted to us than in the previous year during the COVID-19 pandemic when nurses, care workers and other frontline workers were the ones at the forefront keeping us safe and keeping us well, but also now through the COVID vaccination roll out keeping us protected,” Ms Butler said.
Acknowledging the extraordinary dedication and commitment nurses and healthcare workers had already made, she said it had come at a tragic loss for many.
“More than 3,000 health and care workers losing their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic in the last year.”
Ms Butler said investment was needed in nurses and all other workers in the care sector across the country to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of communities.
“The government has rightfully praised the role of our nurses throughout the pandemic and on International Nurses Day it can support nurses and nurse-led initiatives, including greater emphasis on the role of nurse practitioners in delivering best practice care to the community.
“We can achieve a stronger, sustainable public healthcare system, with our nurses leading the way.”
