§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives the Government took to promote the UN International Nurses Day on 12 May. [47220]
§ Mr. MilburnWe were involved in a number of initiatives to promote the United Nations International Nurses Day on 12 May, and during that week.
The Chief Nursing Officer for England, Mrs. Yvonne Moores, attended and supported the international gathering of global senior nurses at the 51st World Health Assembly in Geneva, organised by the International Council of Nurses on International Nurses Day.
To mark International Nurses Day, and the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union, the Chief Nursing Officer for England, supported by her UK Chief Nursing Officer colleagues, hosted a "masterclass" for European Union Government Chief Nurses, in London 491W from the evening of 12 May to 14 May. The "masterclass" aimed to debate the nursing, midwifery and health visiting contribution to public health. The keynote address to the conference was given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health. Other invited speakers included senior nurses and others from the World Health Organisation, the EU, the Commission and senior nurse colleagues from member states. A report of the "masterclass" is being prepared.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Chief Nursing Officers for England, Scotland and Ireland, with many of the European Chief Nurses, attended the Florence Nightingale memorial service in Westminster Abbey on 14 May.