This year will be a year of celebration with a number of events happening across the country to coincide with the 200 year anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Significantly, to support this important date, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

NMBI plans to support many local events being organised by the Department of Health, HSE etc. as they present a great opportunity to recognise the important work and positive contribution made by nurses and midwives across our society.

We were delighted to participate in the first event of the year, held by The Department of Health on 22 January. Dr Siobhan O’Halloran, Chief Nursing Officer opened the event by acknowledging the vital role of nurses and midwives:

“Nurses and midwives work at all levels of health systems and across diverse settings delivering quality care, leading teams, conducting research, influencing and implementing policy, and educating the next generation of nurses and midwives.”

Dr Anne-Marie Ryan, Director of Professional Standards and Education, Nursing at the NMBI followed with insights into the last 100 years of regulation and how it has supported the development of nursing and midwifery.

Something to look forward to…

Contributing to the content of this year’s celebrations, the WHO will also publish the first ‘State of the World’s Nursing Report,’ highlighting how the nursing workforce in member states can help deliver universal health coverage while also meeting sustainable development goals.