Nursing celebration at the Macrobert Arts Centre

Two decades of nursing at the University of Stirling and the 70th anniversary of the NHS will be marked with a special event featuring guest speakers and musical performances.

The celebration of nursing – jointly hosted by the University and NHS Forth Valley – will take place at Macrobert Arts Centre next week, when International Nurses’ Day will also be marked.

Speakers will include Professor Fiona McQueen, Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer; Professor Angela Wallace, Nurse Director at NHS Forth Valley; and Professor Catherine Niven, Professor Emeritus at the University of Stirling.

Stirling student nurse Ela Hamer will be among a number of others to give a presentation at the event, which will also include two short screenings, a display of historical items by the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, and a performance by Forth Valley Nurses Choir. 

Professor Jayne Donaldson, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, who will welcome attendees on the day, said: “The University of Stirling, in conjunction with NHS Forth Valley, is delighted to host this special celebration of nursing.

Professor Jayne Donaldson, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, will welcome attendees.

“The event will allow us to mark 21 years of nursing at Stirling and the 70th anniversary of the NHS, while recognising the vital work of nurses and student nurses around the world.

“We are looking forward to welcoming nurses, student nurses and members of the public to the Macrobert for an afternoon of presentations, exhibitions and music.”

Stirling student nurse Ela Hamer will give a presentation at the event.

Professor Angela Wallace, NHS Forth Valley Director of Nursing, said: “This celebration will showcase the changing role of nursing as a profession over the past seven decades.

“Although medical advances have moved far away from the early days of treating patients with polio and TB, today's nurses still maintain the caring spirit of their predecessors.”

Nursing 2018: A Celebration will take place at the Macrobert Arts Centre between 3pm and 5pm on Tuesday 8 May – ahead of International Nurses Day on Saturday 12 May.

The free event is open to the public, however, attendees are asked to register here.