Hansard

I thank Jackie Baillie and Emma Harper for their opening contributions. The nursing experience that Emma Harper brings to the debate is extremely welcome, and it was underlined in her contribution and in the amendment in her name. That has helped to ensure that the full objective that has been set out for international nurses day is achieved and supported by the Parliament.

International nurses day is overseen by the International Council of Nurses, and 12 May is the chosen date because it is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. The lady of the lamp is possibly one of the most famous nurses in the world and, although her best known achievements are associated with her work with soldiers in the aftermath of the Crimean war, she was also a pioneering medical educator. As Emma Harper pointed out, we also take inspiration from Louisa Jordan, a Scottish nurse who showed compassion and bravery while caring for soldiers during the first world war, and who lost her life while doing so at only 36 years of age.

International nurses day is a chance to celebrate the best of nursing and to thank staff who work in health and social care for all that they do. This year’s theme is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead—Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health”. That could not be more pertinent, in the face of the on-going global pandemic of Covid-19. Nurses have been at the front line across the world, fighting against a relentless, invisible foe that has tragically killed more than 6 million people. Nurses are the backbone of the NHS and social care. We know how dedicated, caring and compassionate the profession was when we especially needed them. In some cases, they were the only human contact available to people who tragically lost their lives to the pandemic.

The pandemic must have been, among many other things, an emotionally draining time for nurses. I can relate to that enormously difficult situation from my time as part of the nursing team at the St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in Clydebank. To nurse someone at the end of their life is a privilege, but it is also challenging and can impact on a nurse’s health and wellbeing. On international nurses day, as well as celebrating the work of nurses across Scotland on behalf of those whom I represent, I pay tribute to every single one of the nursing team at the St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, in the heart of my constituency. I know how much love, support and care those nurses have given to my constituents and families. I have experienced it myself with the death of my mother at the hospice. It is a time of greatest need. I am proud to have worked there and proud to have such a centre of excellence and compassion in my constituency.

I also thank the Royal College of Nursing Scotland for its briefings. I agree with it that the debate is a chance to celebrate the best of nursing and show our appreciation. I also agree that saying thanks is not enough. We must continue to work hard to provide the best possible terms and conditions for our nurses. We must also support efforts to ensure that more progress is made on nurse vacancies. I am pleased that the Royal College of Nursing is using international nurses day to launch its nurse of the year awards, which is an excellent way to recognise and celebrate the dedication and outstanding professional care of nurses across Scotland.

The debate is a very welcome one that allows the Parliament to further acknowledge the importance of our nurses and to highlight their sacrifices when working through such a turbulent time in modern medicine. We must also rejoice in the dedication of our nurses, who have been so determined to play their part in administering more than 12 million Covid-19 vaccines across Scotland. I thank all the nurses in my constituency and across the world for everything that they have done and continue to do—we owe them so much.