About 100 nurses, midwives and carers retraced the footsteps of their predecessors and visited the town’s historic hospital sites in celebration of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

It was led by the island’s director of nursing, Cath Quilliam, along with nurse Amanda Phillips, who dressed up as the great ’Lady of the Lamp’ Florence Nightingale herself.

Health professionals from all sectors joined the procession.

Recognising that colleagues elsewhere are unable to take part in similar events, due to the pandemic, the procession was dedicated to nurses and midwives in the UK and beyond.

The walkers collected their lamps and began at the current hospital in Strang before making their way to central Douglas in blustery but dry conditions.

Car horns hooted and many well-wishers spurred them on. On Peel Road, fire officers took time from their training exercise to cheer and applaud the procession.

First port of call was Fort Street, to visit the site of the town’s very first general hospital and dispensary.

Opened in September 1850, it was the first hospital on the island, which (prior to the reclamation of land) enjoyed a seafront location.

The matron at the time of opening was Nelly Brennan - a local washerwoman who came to prominence during the cholera epidemic 20 years earlier.

Although the building on Fort Street has long since been demolished, the procession took a moment to pose for a photograph on the original site, before making its way towards the Manx Museum - which was the island’s first Noble’s Hospital, opening in September 1888.

Arrangements had been made for the walkers to access the museum via the bridge - which turned out to be a spectacle in itself. They then joined the annals of Manx nursing history by posing for a group photo on the old hospital steps.

Patrons of the Rosemount Hotel cheered the procession on as it made its way to Henry Bloom Noble School, former site of the second Noble’s Hospital, on Westmoreland Road.

The walk concluded at the erstwhile maternity hospital (now known as Crookall House) where nurses and midwives were treated to refreshments.

The walk, organised by Amanda Phillips (who, when not parading as Florence Nightingale, works as clinical governance coordinator for community health aervices), was one of many events planned to commemorate the International Year of the Nurse & Midwife.

Sadly, the pandemic led to most of the events being cancelled as staff were redeployed and resources ploughed into combating the disease.

Senior staff were, however, keen to ensure the walk went ahead.

Cath Quilliam said: ’This year, more than ever, we’ve called upon the diverse skills of our nurses, midwives and carers.

’They’ve demonstrated a remarkable level of resilience, adaptability and camaraderie at a time we needed them most.’

Amanda Phillips thanked the public and local media for their support, as well as friends and colleagues who had worked hard to ensure the event ran like clockwork.

She added: ’I’d also like to convey my thanks to Complete Care, Loleasa Events and Thie Bee for their generosity and for their support in helping celebrate our professions.

’The walk was an amazing experience which provided an opportunity for island nurses, midwives and carers to come together as one. The year 2020 has been difficult for everyone. Hopefully, the evening helped raise morale - even if just a little.’

Money raised from the walk - expected to be about £800 - will be donated to the Isle of Man Foodbank.