Gala night to raise scholarship funds for healthcare workers
Proceeds from a gala banquet at the Southampton Princess next month are earmarked as scholarship cash for those in the healthcare profession.
The banquet is to be hosted by the Bermuda Health Foundation, an organisation concerned with the urgency to assist local nurses. The Foundation members - including Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, Bank of Bermuda executive Philip Butterfield and businessman Murray Brown - have teamed up with Deputy Governor Tim Gurney in the hope of raising cash for local healthcare professionals.
The banquet on June 14 will be in honour of MP Reginald Burrows, who will receive the Foundation's first Salute to Service Award.
Bermuda Nursing Council chairperson Kereen Richards said she was thrilled and that it was an admirable undertaking by the Foundation. "We are very appreciative of the Foundation's efforts because there is a shortage of nurses world-wide. We have quite a few students who I am sure will benefit from any assistance," she said.
The profession has its challenges, she said, and she believed it should be a community effort to get young people interested in the service of others. While the donation of funds to local nursing organisations is a step in the right direction, she said there was still a need to provide early education to those who are in the process of considering their careers.
Mr. Gurney, serving as honorary co-chairman of the Foundation, agreed with Ms Richards and said that when he was approached by Foundation chairman Mr. Butterfield he was more than happy to do his part.
"The nursing shortage is a world-wide phenomenon that is undoubtedly jeopardising health care and creates stressful working conditions for people in the profession," he said.
"Research has shown that around the world hospitals are showing alarming vacancy rates, some are cancelling non-urgent surgeries, diverting emergency room patients or closing beds.
"If Bermuda can assist those locally who are in the healthcare field, particularly those who wish to go into this profession, then that is half the battle won."
