A day of celebration for nursing and midwifery at Hillingdon Hospital
Hospital staff came together for a vibrant and uplifting event to mark International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses' Day, celebrating the dedication, compassion and professionalism of nurses and midwives.
The day began at 10.30am at Hillingdon Hospital in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon, with a buzzing 'marketplace' of information stalls in the Education Centre, where colleagues had the opportunity to meet teams from across The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital and Mount Vernon Hospital in Rickmansworth Road, Northwood. The marketplace stalls were filled with information about the wide range of support available to them. Stalls included the Education Team, Professional Midwifery Advocate and Professional Nurse Advocate colleagues offering support at work, and health and wellbeing.
The programme opened with reflections from Deputy Chief Nurse, Clare Leon‑Villapalos, who welcomed colleagues and shared her experience since joining the Trust last year.
Speaking about the culture at Hillingdon, she said: “The first thing I noticed when I arrived was just how welcoming this place is. For me, my community is nurses and midwives, and they are what make Hillingdon such a fantastic place to work.”
A highlight of the morning was a keynote address from Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary and Chief Nurse at the Royal College of Nursing, who spoke warmly about the pride and sense of community she felt during her visit.
She said: “It is such a pleasure to be here today. From the moment I arrived this morning, I could sense the pride people feel in their work and the strong sense of community here. It feels like a real family, and it's a joy to be part of your celebration.”
Professor Nicola Ranger reflected on her close connection to both nursing and midwifery, and the importance of taking time to recognise the impact of the profession.
“Days like today are important. They give us a moment to pause and reflect on the jobs we do every single day, often without stopping to think about their impact.”
She also spoke passionately about the value of nursing across all care settings, reinforcing the importance of recognising and celebrating the profession.
Cultural safety and inclusion were central themes of the day's events. Sessions explored culturally safe care and its connection to the Trust's Anti‑Racism Framework, prompting meaningful reflection on how staff can continue to deliver equitable and compassionate care for all communities.
The afternoon programme highlighted specialist practice through the Hillingdon Nursing and Midwifery Lecture Series, named Celebrating Today, Investing in Tomorrow. Colleagues heard from the Topaz Maternity Safeguarding Team, who shared insights into their work supporting women and birthing people with complex needs, alongside the Paediatrics Respiratory Team, who showcased their specialist care for children with complex respiratory conditions and the families they support.
Staff were treated to a hot lunch buffet and cake and the day concluded on a fun note with the Trust quiz.