PERMANENT Secretary in the Ministry of Justice Carol Palmer has called for more retired nurses to come forward to offer their services as justices of the peace (JPs).

“Nurses are leaders in whatever they do. I would like some nurses as JPs because in our communities, we need to have people that we look up to. I believe that you have much more to contribute and I want to dialogue with you about some of those possibilities,” she said.

Palmer was speaking at the Nurses Association of Jamaica’s (NAJ) annual Christmas luncheon on Tuesday at the Alhambra Inn, Kingston, where the organisation paid tribute to members of the Retired Nurses Special Interest Group.

She further challenged the members to apply their knowledge and experience to critical programmes within the ministry, such as Restorative Justice.

Palmer noted that the Restorative Justice programme needs qualified volunteers to counsel victims, assist in accessing medical help for them or inform victims of agencies where they can receive support.

Additionally, she said retired nurses can offer their experience to formulating sound policies for implementation in the health sector.

Palmer commended the contribution of the retirees, noting that the modern nursing profession owes much to its predecessors.

“Nursing in Jamaica has come a very long way since its early beginnings, and today, over 30,000 skilled persons in the health and social work fields form the backbone of the health care system in this country operating in health promotion, disease prevention, specialist and critical care services, palliative care and education,” she pointed out.

Acting Chief Nursing Officer in the Ministry of Health Patricia Ingram Martin, in her greetings, thanked the retirees for their invaluable contribution to the local health sector, which she said, has built the foundation for the profession of nursing and midwifery.

“You have played many and varying roles as teachers, mentors, counsellors, even parents, among others, to help us the younger generation. It is because of that solid foundation that you have laid that we, as present-day leaders, are able to manage the challenges that exist. The Ministry of Health acknowledges your work and worth and thanks you for your yeoman service to this country,” she said.

President of the NAJ, Carmen Johnson, said the Retired Nurses Special Interest Group is one of the most vibrant in the association, and encouraged the members to continue to give back where they identify needs and continue to assist in closing the gaps in the profession.

“I want you to know how much we appreciate you for the contributions you have made and continue to make. You have demonstrated visionary leadership,” the NAJ president said.