A new book on Florence Nightingale explores how her work has more relevance than ever since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Florence Nightingale 1820-2020: Life and Legacy: The Passion and the Embrace author Timothy Haas said the book marks the 200th anniversary of Miss Nightingale's birth but is also a timely reminder about the pandemic we are facing.
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"It became imminently clear that history was repeating itself with the things she fought so hard for in terms of not having overcrowding in hospitals, having fresh air, hand washing," he said.
"All these things have suddenly become very pertinent in the midst of this new pandemic. We're having to relearn old lessons."
He said Miss Nightingale was "absolutely a visionary".
The book release coincides with the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, named so by the World Health Organisation for the vital work people in those professions do.
Launceston General Hospital Ex-Trainee Nurses Association president Deanna Ellis said the role of a nurse has always been important but is significantly more so this year with the role they play during the pandemic.
"They are at the forefront. They go to work and they are really putting their lives on the line as well," she said.
Ms Ellis said when she sees members of the public not taking hand washing and mask wearing seriously, it all goes back to the basics Florence established in the first place to keep people safe.
Mr Haas said he found it ironic it took a pandemic for nurses to become popular and regarded as heroes when they have been heroes all along.
He said by the time the reader finishes his book they would see the "relevance to today and our current situation".
The book will be launched at the LGH Ex-Trainee Nurses ' Association 83rd annual reunion lunch on October 24 and available for purchase from the Clifford Craig Foundation on level five at the LGH.
The event will host guest speakers and reflects the International Council of Nurses 2020 theme "A Voice to Lead - Nursing the World to Health".