And let’s not forget the heroic work they have done for decades up to now.
We have selected 11 photos of some of the nurses we should all be thanking for their remarkable efforts over the years. We will also be paying tribute to other health staff in the days to come.
Do you remember these scenes? Or is there another health worker you would like us to pay tribute to?
Get in touch to tell us more.
1. The emergency care team in 1997
Back to 1997 for this view of the emergency medical unit staff at Sunderland Royal, including Senior Clinical Nurse Joy Thompson, seated right; with Sister Elizabeth Bains, seated centre; and Charge Nurse Eric Stephens. Does this bring back memories? | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo
2. Praise for the A&E team
Back in 2004, staff in the Accident and Emergency department of Sunderland Royal Hospital were praised by the Health Secretary for their exceptional performance - and here is some of that team. Are you pictured? | JPIMedia Resell Photo: KB
3. A 2010 tribute
These nurses at Sunderland Royal Hospital were pictured with a statue of Florence Nightingale as they marked the anniversary of her birth. Do you recognise any of the team in this 2010 photograph? | JPIMedia Resell Photo: PB
4. Claire in the news in 2018
Critical Care Outreach Nurse Claire Subeson was one of the heroes who worked through the storms of Beast from the East in 2018. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Kevin Brady