Nursing heroes were showered with flowers, tea and cake as a special thank you for the work they do caring for terminally ill patients in Barnet and Enfield.

North London Hospice organised the tea party yesterday as part of the global celebrations marking International Nurses Day.

The hospice is dedicated to caring for people with life-limiting illnesses as well as their families – and its nurses make sure they have everything they need and want, day and night.

Pam McClinton, Nursing Director at the hospice, said: “That extra mile our nurses are prepared to go to never ceases to impress me.

"Each and every one of our patients is unique and the way our nurses adapt to individual needs is something that cannot be taught in the classroom or learned from a book - it is something that comes from a deep rooted sense of compassion, care and understanding.”

Deputy Nursing Director Giselle Martin-Dominguez, 46, has been working as a nurse at the hospice for 16 years.

Explaining why she loves her job, Ms Martin-Dominguez said: “The reason I came into hospice care was because I like to give high quality care to people, to have time to care and to be able to do the extra little things that make all the difference.

“I also really enjoy being able to look after the whole family, because an illness effects them all.

“I think it’s great to have a day specially dedicated to celebrating nursing. It’s nice to be able to stop and reflect on my career and the fond memories of the families I’ve cared for and are now a part of me.”

Anne Marie Hammond, 54, has worked at the hospice for more than 15 years and specialises in palliative care support, caring for people in their last few days within their own home.

She said: “What I love about this job is being able to help the whole family and being able to go that extra mile. Last summer I was caring for one man who had always wanted to go camping but he thought it was off the cards because of his illness. But we made it happen.

“That night we were in a tent in the garden with his son and daughter, his wife and brother and sister-in-law and even more people were inside the house – it was like a party atmosphere. He was so glad to have been able to go camping. It will always stay with me.”

The nurses were given a round of applause before tucking into tea and cake at the hospice in Woodside Avenue, North Finchley.

Mrs Hammond said: “I think it’s really nice to have a day to recognise the work we do. It’s the best job in the world.”