Published on: 12 May 2026
To mark International Nurses Day on 12 May, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating the commitment, compassion and influence of its nursing workforce. The annual awareness day recognises the central role nurses play in supporting patients throughout their care. 
As part of this, the Trust is spotlighting Anthony Martin, a Deputy Care Group Manager within neurodevelopmental and eating disorder services at Derbyshire Healthcare. Anthony shares how his career spans more than three decades supporting people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
I came into nursing in my late 20s after having worked in a variety of different jobs, and in many ways, I feel I found the career I was always meant to do. During the adoption process of my son, who was one year old at the time, there were concerns that he may have had a learning disability.
Throughout that journey, I was inspired by the compassion, support and dedication shown by the social workers and nurses we met along the way, as well as the care and assessments he received. Their kindness and commitment gave me a real sense of direction and made me realise this was the type of work I wanted to dedicate my life to. It felt like the point where everything finally made sense professionally and personally.
My son is now 35 years old and does not have a learning disability, he simply needed a loving, nurturing home and the opportunity to thrive. That experience shaped my values both as a parent and as a nurse and reinforced for me how important compassion, advocacy, and seeing the person beyond the diagnosis truly are.
How long have you worked in nursing, and where did your career begin?
I have worked within Learning Disabilities for over 30 years and have been a qualified nurse for more than 20 years since starting my nursing career in 2003. My career began within Learning Disability services, supporting people with complex needs, autism, and profound and multiple learning disabilities.
What has been the most rewarding part of your nursing journey so far?
The most rewarding part has been seeing the positive impact that compassionate, person-centred care can have on individuals and families. Supporting people through difficult times, helping teams develop and seeing individuals achieve outcomes that others may not have thought possible has been incredibly fulfilling.
Is there a moment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
I am particularly proud of the variety of roles I have undertaken throughout my career and the opportunities I have had to lead and influence services. Working as a Matron within a children’s hospice and leading teams within Mental health and Learning Disability services are experiences, I am especially proud of, as they allowed me to support both patients and staff during very challenging times.
One moment that has always stayed with me was supporting a young woman with a brain tumour to attend her 21st birthday party whilst receiving end of life care. I was the nurse responsible for managing her pain relief, monitoring her oxygen, and ensuring she remained comfortable throughout the evening. Despite how poorly she was, she was able to spend precious time with the people she loved most.
It reminded me that nursing is not only about treatment and care, but also about compassion, humanity, and helping people have the best quality of life and death possible.
Can you describe your current role and what a typical day looks like?
I currently work as Deputy Care Group Manager within Neurodevelopmental and Eating Disorder Services at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. My role involves supporting operational management, service development, quality improvement, and staff wellbeing across services. No two days are ever the same, but a typical day can include meetings with clinical teams, problem solving, supporting staff, reviewing patient care, and working collaboratively to improve services for the people we support.
What difference do you feel your role makes to patients or colleagues?
I hope my role helps create environments where both patients and staff feel supported, valued, and listened to. By supporting teams and promoting compassionate, high-quality care, I believe we can make a positive difference to patient experiences and outcomes while also helping colleagues feel empowered and confident in their roles.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in nursing?
Always remember why you chose nursing. Be compassionate, stay curious and never underestimate the importance of kindness and listening. Nursing is challenging at times, but it is also one of the most rewarding careers you can have. Every interaction matters.
What helps you stay motivated during busy or difficult periods?
Remembering the difference nursing makes to people’s lives keeps me motivated. I am fortunate to work with passionate and supportive colleagues, and during difficult times teamwork, humour, and remembering our shared purpose are incredibly important.
How do colleagues and teams support each other where you work?
There is a strong sense of teamwork and support across services. Colleagues support each other by sharing knowledge, checking in on one another and working collaboratively to overcome challenges. I believe compassionate leadership and supportive teams are essential within healthcare.
What does International Nurses Day mean to you?
International Nurses Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution nurses make every day. It is also a chance to reflect on the compassion, resilience, and dedication shown across the profession and to acknowledge the impact nurses have on individuals, families, and communities.
For me, it is also an important opportunity to celebrate Learning Disability Nursing and raise awareness of the unique role Learning Disability Nurses play in supporting people to live healthier, safer and more fulfilling lives. They advocate for individuals who are often vulnerable to health inequalities and ensure people receive compassionate, person-centred care that recognises their individual needs, strengths, and voices. I feel incredibly proud to be part of the profession and to continue championing the value of Learning Disability Nursing.
What would you like people to better understand about the nursing profession?
I would like people to understand that nursing is far more than people often see. Nurses are advocates, leaders, educators, problem solvers and compassionate carers. Learning Disability Nursing involves building relationships, reducing inequalities and ensuring people receive the care and support they deserve.
How does it feel to have nursing recognised and celebrated?
It feels incredibly meaningful and important. Nursing can be challenging, and recognition helps highlight the dedication, professionalism, and compassion that nurses bring to their roles every day.
What makes you proud to be a nurse at this Trust?
I am proud to work for Derbyshire Healthcare because of the commitment to compassionate care, teamwork, and continuous improvement. I feel privileged to work alongside dedicated colleagues who genuinely want to make a difference.
What excites you about the future of nursing?
What excites me most is the continued development of nursing roles and the growing recognition of the importance of personalised, inclusive care. I believe nurses will continue to play a vital role in shaping and improving healthcare services for future generations.
What would success look like for you over the next few years?
Success for me would be continuing to make a positive difference within services, supporting and developing staff, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. I remain as passionate about nursing as I was when I first started, and I would love to continue my journey with the Trust until retirement.
