As part of celebrations for International Nurses' Day, Sharon teamed up with nurses at NHS South of Tyne and Wear Community Health Services to shadow a nurse for a day.

Sharon worked with the Family Nurse team, starting her day with Family Nurse Lillian Coulson in Birtley, where she visited families receiving support under the Family Nurse Partnership programme, which has been identified in Graham Allen's report on early intervention as an extremely valuable programme in ensuring that children of young, first time families with multiple problems get the best possible start in life.

International Nurses' Day is celebrated around the world on 12th May every year, which is the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. In recent years, the celebration has grown to include a number of events in the weeks around 12th May and is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the dedication and commitment of the nursing profession. 

Speaking before the day, Sharon said: "I am really looking forward to spending time with the Family Nurse team, and seeing what help they provide to young, first-time mothers to ensure that their children get the best possible start in life.

"I've heard great things about the results that they can achieve working with some of the most vulnerable households, so I'm keen to get a better understanding of their role and how it might be expanded to help more children across the country."

Bev Atkinson, Director of Nursing Clinical Services and Managing Director Community Health Services for NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: "I am very proud of the commitment and dedication of all of our nurses and I am delighted that Ms Hodgson will be able to see at first hand what a wonderful job they do. I am sure she will find the work of the Family Nurse Partnership staff in providing intensive early intervention for vulnerable young parents extremely interesting."

RCN Northern Region Director, Glenn Turp said: "It is absolutely fantastic that Sharon is taking part in International Nurses' Day, by shadowing Lillian for the day. The event gives us the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication that nurses deliver, day and night, 365 days of the year, in the service of their community. We are very grateful to NHS South of Tyne and Wear for helping to facilitate this event".

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