After a year like no other, health services across south western Sydney have come together this month to show their gratitude and support for the work of nurses and midwives.
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"International Day of the Midwife is a special day to celebrate the contribution midwives make to women and their families. I encourage all midwives to join me and reflect on the difference they make to people's lives every day,'' she said.
Ms Cross said May marked an important time of recognition for the 53,000 nurses and midwives working across the NSW public health system with International Day of the Midwife on Wednesday May 5, and International Nurses' Day on May 12.
"Our nurses and midwives have been agile, resourceful and shown skill, compassion and professionalism in challenging times - I would like to personally say thank you to each and everyone one of them for the critical work they do and the difference they make each and every day," she said.
Liverpool Hospital Clinical Midwife Educator Kim Gotos said he became a midwife to help all family members during this special time in their lives.
"It's so rewarding to be there for mums and dads and to help bring someone new into the world,'' Mr Gotos, who also became a father last year, said.
Celebrations for International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses' Day are continuing across South Western Sydney Local Health District this month with award ceremonies, a breakfast on the lawn, lunches and morning teas planned.
Staff and the community are also encouraged to join the Healing Hearts campaign and wear and post the blue and purple hearts, representing the colours of nursing and midwifery on social media using the hashtags #IDM2021, #IND2021 and #ExceptionalCare.
In 2019/20 Budget the NSW Government committed $2.8 billion to recruit a total of 8300 frontline health staff over the next four years, including 5000 nurses and midwives.
For more information, go to NSW Health's dedicated Nursing and Midwifery page: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/Pages/default.aspx
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