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History of Nursing and Midwifery at RPA

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Administration Block Nurse Accommodation, ca.1890, RPA — **RPA Museum Image:** Administration Block Nurse Accommodation, ca. 1890, RPA

Nurses left home to live at the hospital under strict personal and working conditions. The first stand alone Nurses’ Home opened in 1892 to accommodate 55 nursing staff including the Matron.

This facility was expanded three times in 1904, 1914 and again in 1935 with an adjoining seven story building to house 400 nursing staff.

In 1956 the Queen Mary Home for Nurses opened to accommodate 750 staff.

**RPA Museum Image:** Nurse Registration Group, 1947, RPA Hospital

Nurse education was extended in 1899 from three to four years on the ward training. In 1936 the Preliminary Training School (PTS) was established where Nurse Trainees underwent six weeks of in class training. Upon passing they then went onto four years ward training before becoming a registered nurse.

The first day remains a jumble of memories, although I do remember being handed at the door a small square of torn sheeting to remove my lipstick. Thus began an ongoing struggle to wear make-up like normal people, which I have never achieved!
– Hellen Croll, class of 1943

The 26th June, 1987 saw the last RPA trained class graduate after which saw universities provide training. Practical classes however still continue at RPA and on the wards.

**RPA Museum Image:** Coordinator Sister Pat Creagh in John Spence Nursery, ca. 1973

The John Spence Nursery opened in the King George V Memorial Hospital for Mothers and Babies in 1971 and was the first neonatal intensive care unit at RPA. All babies born by Caesarean section or forceps were taken here for initial observation. Onsite midwifery training commenced in 1973.