As we celebrate International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day, NMBI recognises the professionals whose impact is felt every day, throughout our health system.

Nurses and midwives bring compassion, integrity and care to their work. Their commitment is evident in the profound human connections they forge with patients, families and communities.

Across the country, nurses and midwives strengthen our health system through innovation, diversity and collaboration. They adapt to changing needs, adopt new ways of working and continually find better paths for people centred care.

Midwives play a vital role in delivering essential care, supporting women throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Their contribution encompasses lifelong reproductive health care, education and advocacy. In moments of joy, uncertainty and transformation, midwives provide steady, skilled and compassionate support.

Nurses deliver expert care from mental health and intellectual disability services to children’s nursing, acute hospital care and integrated community settings. Nurses are present at every stage of the healthcare journey. Their clinical knowledge is matched by an ability to listen, reassure and respond to the needs of those in their care.

Recent revisions to professional standards have further enabled nurses and midwives to work across the full range of their scope of practice, recognising their expertise and empowering them to lead, innovate and influence care delivery. Resulting in better outcomes for patients.

Every day, nurses and midwives save lives. Just as importantly, they strengthen and support the communities in which they work. By welcoming diversity and fostering inclusion, they help create a genuine sense of belonging, for colleagues as well as for those who rely on their care.

International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day provide an important opportunity for the Irish nursing and midwifery community to come together.

NMBI recognises the value of the professions and acknowledges nurses and midwives as essential healthcare providers.

These days are an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of partnership between regulation, education and professional practice. When these elements work together, they strengthen the professions, amplify the voices of nurses and midwives, and ensure that those delivering care are properly supported and represented in decision-making.

Today, we celebrate our nurses and midwives. And, above all, we say thank you for the extraordinary difference you make every single day.