In this blog post CNHC registrant Norman Dunsby, who practises massage therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy, tells us how he helped the University of Chester’s Faculty of Health, Medicine & Society celebrate International Nurses Day.
It was a great privilege when I was invited to take part and celebrate International Nurse Day on 12 May 2025 and deliver holistic treatments at the University of Chester’s Faculty of Health, Medicine & Society, where I am a Visiting Lecturer.
The focus of the day was to celebrate the nurse and how much care and compassion is brought by the nurses to benefit their patients and families. A nurse cares the for patient from admission to discharge, ensuring the highest standards of care are given until their patient returns home. My involvement during this event was to give hand massage treatments, do breathing-relaxation and making nurses aware of self-help methods so they can focus on their own health and wellbeing. Demonstrating and joining in with these holistic approaches made the nurses realise that their own health and wellbeing is also important. Evidence-based strategies were used to ensure that the practices used and recommended are supported by the appropriate research or evidence.
The attendees at the event were Registered Nurses working in the community and based in local hospices providing palliative care to adults and children, in local hospitals and in care homes. It also included academics from the university and a Bachelor of Nursing degree undergraduate student.
To sum up the day, those attendees who received a treatment found it very relaxing and by incorporating the breathing and relaxation strategies these proved to be a real benefit. This was a wonderful event and the time to give thanks and praise to those who care for the many with compassion and skills to provide a safe, protected and caring environment for patients to recover. We owe so much to our nurses for their unfailing care and support they freely give whilst we are unwell and on the road to recovery. This was an ideal opportunity for me to reach out and give back to those in our nursing profession and give ‘care to the carers”. A big ‘Thank you’ Nurses, you are much appreciated for the work you all do so well.
Acknowledgements: Many thanks go to Stu Humphrey, Marketing Executive and Karen Hibberd, Membership & Insurance Administrator, of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and to the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council’s (CNHC) Communications Manager, Sharon Robinson; Faculty of Health, Medicine & Society University of Chester, Karen Blythe, Debbie James, Chantelle Burgess and Yanika Sharma who were Event Field Champions and Louise Wood, Deputy Director Communications & Public Relations, for all their help, support and dedication in their commitment to supporting the International Nurse Day for which I am very grateful. I am a proud practitioner to belong to two incredibly deserving organisations for the care and commitment they show to their membership/registrants.