NURSES were treated to lunch and homemade cupcakes at Witney Community Hospital as part of International Nurses Day.

Staff and patients marked the special day last week, with both Wenrisc and Linfoot wards joining in, with a lunch and a flick through old pictures.

Paula Har, clinical nurse specialist mental health and dementia, said: "We had a wonderful bring and share lunch event on both our wards and were joined by nurses of all grades and our therapy and social work team.

"We looked through lots of pictures of nurses through the ages and quotes from Florence Nightingale along with old nursing books.

"Staff also brought in photos from many years ago to reminisce with each other and the patients which is really important because reminiscing about the past brings great pleasure and comfort to people living with dementia.

"The day room was beautifully decorated with bunting."

She added: "We then all tucked into a beautifully made cake by wonderful health care assistant Julie Standeven.

"This was a lovely event and prompted many stories of changes in nursing over the years but the stand out theme of the day was how proud, dedicated and passionate the team are to nursing."

Wenrisc ward had been temporarily closed at the hospital since September but re-opened at the beginning of April, after a complete refurbishment of the day room and kitchen.

International Nurses Day was celebrated on May 12.