International Nurses Day will be celebrated on 12 May. This date is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing.

It is an opportunity to reflect on the exceptionally valuable work nurses perform in our local health system to ensure patients are cared for with dignity and respect.

I thank all nurses who live or work in the Bradfield electorate. Whether you work at a public hospital, private hospital, aged care facility or school, you are making a significant contribution to the community.

12 May is also an opportune time to acknowledge our local health workers more broadly; they work in a diligent and committed fashion to improve the wellbeing of others.

According to the most recent census, 4.2 per cent of Bradfield residents work in hospitals.

Most of us will know of a relative or friend who works in the health sector, and the pandemic was a powerful reminder of how critical and at times, dangerous, this work can be.

I am proud to have Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and the Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) in my electorate. These leading hospitals and their wonderful staff save lives and provide vital medical and other support to residents of all ages.

I encourage all residents to take time this month to reflect on how fortunate we are to be served by so many extraordinary health workers.