Hansard

I congratulate Jackie Baillie on securing the debate. I am glad to speak in it, because it is great to have the chance to reflect on and celebrate the contribution that nursing staff make to people’s lives. I thank those who work in health and social care in my constituency of East Kilbride and across the country for all that they do, and particularly for what they have done during the pandemic. Nurses have been working together to deliver care under the most extreme and challenging circumstances, setting up new ways of working in response to changing demands and maintaining staffing and equipment levels to deliver on-going and essential services.

It is always interesting to hear about members’ backgrounds that we would not hear about other than in members’ business debates. I commend Emma Harper for being a community champion and delivering the vaccination roll-out. Every single one of the people involved in that were true heroes.

The date of 12 May was chosen as the day on which to celebrate international nurses day because it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Florence is undoubtedly one of the most famous nurses and has earned her place in the history books. She modernised the approach to care during the Victorian age and was instrumental in improving care with mathematical science and statistical analysis. She noted, too, the importance of hygiene, diet and ventilation, all of which are very much relevant today.

As my colleague Emma Harper’s amendment to the motion rightly recognises, Scotland takes inspiration from Louisa Jordan, a Scottish nurse who had a prominent role during the first world war. Interestingly, in the previous members’ business debate on the subject in 2017, there was no mention at all of Louisa Jordan.

Each year, the International Council of Nurses celebrates nurses day by focusing on a specific theme. As we have heard, this year the theme is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead—Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health”. The focus is on the need to protect, support and invest in the nursing profession to strengthen health systems around the world. The pandemic has laid bare and drawn our attention to the vulnerabilities of our health systems. Being recognised, appreciated and valued is important for nurses around the world.

NHS Lanarkshire has recently put together short videos highlighting the hostility that staff have unfortunately faced in recent months. The videos draw attention to wider reports that staff and partners continue to experience violence and aggression from a minority, with the short clips ending with the phrase, “Please be kind”. Hospital staff are still under a great deal of pressure and should not face any abuse or threats. That should go without saying.

Without the nursing profession, the NHS would be unable to offer the high-quality healthcare that it provides day in, day out. We owe nurses our thanks for all that they do—their dedication and professionalism are inspiring.