The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “Nurses help to pay for their new home (Pictures taken at Cheyne Hospital for Children, Chelsea). On the balcony outside her bedroom a nurse cleans her friends (sic) shoes, and the money goes to pay for the new nurses’ home.”
The Cheyne Hospital for Sick and Incurable Children, later the Cheyne Hospital for Children, was founded in 1875. Having previously been housed in rooms of three, the nurses were determined to raise funds for the purchase of new premises. The new hospital wing cost £5,000, and between December 1938 and July 1939, the nurses had raised £125 towards this. They raised money through various methods: cleaning colleagues’ shoes, making fudge and coconut ice, providing laundry and housekeeping services for friends, and running a small shop; the matron charged small fines “for all sorts of things”, including bad language. As well as accommodation for the nurses, the new hospital wing provided a “large sunshine roof” for child patients. See also MED01/01/0440-0448. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.
This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited
Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley
Nurses Hostel, Women's History, Trade And Commerce
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