REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT: London and the south east, nine years on ...
The London and South East Group of the RCN History of Nursing Society continues to grow and prosper, with in excess of 70 current members, all highly motivated to spread the word to contemporary nursing about the social and academic relevance of history.
The group meets four times a year at RCN headquarters. The first hour of the meeting is devoted to a presentation by either a member of the group, or an expert or enthusiast from elsewhere. The second hour, concentrating on business, is always wide-ranging, informative and animated.
Many and varied topics and issues are addressed by the group as can be seen from this brief outline of our activity in 2008:
- March: Susan Bowen, a group member and Modern Matron at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, followed on from Queenie Jackson's presentation in 2007 when she spoke about her time as a matron in the 1950s and 1960s.
- June: Cynthia O'Neill, a retired Queens Nurse and writer of nursing history, delivered an illustrated talk about the role of women as nurses and VADs in the 1914-1918 war.
- September: the group shared their own historical research and interests, and we look forward to hearing full presentations from some members in future meetings.
- December: Stephanie Kirby, a group member and Research Fellow at the University of the West of England, spoke on the nurse's role in tuberculosis, 1930-1970.
The 2009 programme is expected to be equally stimulating:
- 5 March: St George's nurses' voices
- 4 June: Historical development of the role of CPNs
- 3 September: Edith Cavell
- 3 December: Lesley Wade on the world of Florence Nightingale and Mrs Gaskell.
All meetings run 4-6pm at Cavendish Square. New members are welcome so do come along. For more details contact Dianne Yarwood at: d.yarwood@ntlworld.com