The following statement was issued today by Loyola Sullivan, Acting Minister of Health and Community Services. It was also read in the House of Assembly

I rise today in honour of National Nursing Week to recognize a dedicated group of caregivers - our nurses who continue to make a difference for patients every day,.

This year�s theme, Nursing: Patients First, Safety Always appropriately reflects the selfless professional commitment all nurses share in the delivery of safe care every day. We most often think of nurses as front-line care providers delivering urgent and emergency care in hospitals. But they play key roles in many other areas of health care delivery. For example, public health nurses immunize our children; they educate communities about healthy lifestyle choices and seek to improve our wellness in partnership with other health care professionals. In rural communities, nurses are often a main point of contact for daily health issues.

Our province is proud to have over 8,000 practising members of the nursing profession, representing one of the largest groups of health care providers in the province. Close to 100 per cent of nurses who work in this province were also educated here and we are fortunate to be among the lowest in average ages of nurses in the country. We also have the highest rate of full-time employment of nurses in the country. Each of these facts will positively impact the future of our health care system.

Our government recognizes that the nursing profession is a cornerstone of our health care system. Nurses are well placed to advise government on changes needed in our health system to put patients first and build upon the safe, quality care currently delivered. Who else is as close to the front lines and as close to patient needs as nurses?

Today, I�m proud to say that we have honoured our Blueprint commitment to establish a provincial Chief Nurse position and announced that Ms. Anita Ludlow has been selected to fill this position. We look forward to her contribution and working in partnership with the Nurses Union, Association of Registered Nurses and the Council of Licensed Practical Nurses as we continue our primary health care renewal, health human resource planning and the implementation of our new Selfcare-Telecare initiative announced in Budget 2005 to improve access to services in rural and remote communities.

Please join me in paying tribute to the nursing profession and thank them for their contributions to our health, our families and communities.

Photo#1: Loyola Sullivan, Acting Minister of Health and Community Services met with Debbie Forward, President of the Nurses Union of Newfoundland and Labrador, to launch National Nursing Week in this province.

2005 05 09                       1:45 p.m.