METRO South Health honoured nurses, the backbone of its health service on International Nurses Day.
Noelle Cridland executive director of Logan and Beaudesert health services said International Nurses Day is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution of nurses, locally and internationally.
The dedicated, compassionate, skilled, supportive nurses deliver the best in patient-centred care every day across the hospitals.
Queensland nurses will join their colleagues throughout Australia today in honouring nurses around the world who have lost their lives treating and caring for COVID-19 patients.
An online candlelight vigil will be held at 7pm tonight via social media as part of activities to mark International Nurses Day.
"Nurses are on the frontline of the response to COVID19, and are literally putting their lives on the line in many cases. Nothing brings that into focus quite so sharply as losing nurses to this terrible virus," Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union secretary Beth Mohle said.
The vigil will be broadcast live on QNMU's Facebook page at 7pm.
Bridges light up for International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day has added significance this year as 2020 is also the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.
The arrival of COVID-19 has made it almost impossible for nurses to celebrate this important milestone with many events and celebrations both locally and around the world put on hold.
However, the day will not pass unacknowledged.
Kurilpa Bridge, the Gabba, and Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, together with the Queensland Qld Country Bank Stadium in Townsville and the Gold Coast's Cbus Stadium will be lit up in recognition of International Nurses Day.
"The intention was to shine a light on the remarkable work nurses do and the integral role we have maintaining and advocating for the health and wellbeing of our communities," Ms Mohle said.
