Plaques unveiled to recognise the contribution staff have made during pandemic
Eight plaques have been unveiled at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, to honour the dedication and sacrifice shown by staff during the pandemic.
The plaques were unveiled on International Nurses Day and they are placed at both City Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre's main entrances.
Interim Chief Nurse at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, Sarah Moppett, said the year had been "extraordinary".
She said: "I have been a nurse 30 years and loved every moment - it is the most rewarding profession.
"I've seen a lot in my time but this year was unprecedented and I can't put into words how proud I am of all hospital staff.
"They will always say 'I'm just doing my job' but we have seen nurses go over and above, working additional hours, staying away from family, dealing with a huge volume of very sick patients - it all takes a massive emotional strain.
"Nurses moved wards and out of their comfort zone to put patients first, and they were so brave when we still knew very little about the virus.
"It brings tears to my eyes when I think how much they have given up.
"I just hope now that as they walk into work in the future months and years, they will see the plaque and reflect on the contribution they made and know that it was valued."
The plaques were given to the hospital by the DAISY Foundation.
The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalisation, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say “thank you” to nurses in a very public way.