THE hard work of staff at Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals and a major recruitment drive is being celebrated as part of International Nurses Day.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust - which runs Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge - has also recently recruited more than 50 registered Nurses from across the world.

A huge recruitment drive to strengthen the nursing team at the Trust has resulted in nurses travelling from as far as Kenya, Zimbabwe and India to work at its Arrowe Park, Wirral Women and Children’s and Clatterbridge hospitals.

The nurses joined throughout March and April ahead of International Nurses Day and this has been a boost to the existing WUTH team who have worked tirelessly to care for patients over the past year.

The new nurses have undergone the required self-solation on entering the country.

Hazel Richards, chief nurse at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: "We are delighted to welcome our new nurses and we’re really proud that they have chosen to join our hospitals.

"Patient care is our top priority and we have been working hard to recruit more nurses to our Trust so they will be a great addition to our team."

Today is International Nurses Day, which celebrates the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

The Trust is celebrating its nurses and also reflecting on their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months.

It follows on from International Day of the Midwife, which is celebrated on 5th May.

The Trust held a service of thanksgiving in the chapel at Arrowe Park on Monday, featuring a lamp, the symbol of Florence Nightingale, shining a light for the nursing profession.

The theme of International Nurses Day 2021 is 'A Voice to Lead' and the sub-theme is 'A Vision for Future Healthcare'.

This reflects the innovation in nursing and the important role nurses have played during the past year.

Chief nurse Hazel Richards added: "Our nurses alongside other staff across our hospitals have worked above and beyond over the past year.

"There has been real innovation with nurses working in ways never seen before and it’s important that we recognise the vital role nurses have had in caring for patients during the pandemic.

"As well as being a day to celebrate nurses it will also be an opportunity to thank our nurses for their unwavering care for patients."