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: “Nursing auxiliaries doing practical nursing. Picture shows Nursing Auxiliaries doing practical ward work. This Nursing Auxiliary (right) is seen assisting a Sister who is applying a hot fomentation. (Picture taken at St. Thomas’s Hospital)”
Emergency nursing services were prepared across England in 1939, ahead of the declaration of the Second World War. At the beginning of 1939 the government called for 100,000 volunteers to form a Civil Nursing Reserve, intended to treat civilians only. By November 1939, 78,000 enrolments had been recorded: as well as volunteers, trained and assistant nurses not currently in active practice were called upon to join. Nurses who had completed first-aid training and had attended nursing lectures were also allocated duties, despite lacking the compulsory 50-90 hours’ practical hospital training normally required for nursing. A fomentation, or poultice, is the application of a hot moist substance to the body, used to relieve pain and inflammation. See also MED01/01/0574-0579 and MED01/01/0581-0582. 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
Hospital, People At Work, Second World War, Women's History, Health And Welfare
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