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: “The assistant nurse. Picture shows Dr. R.Hill, Medical Superintendant, giving a demonstration in the fracture ward to Assistant Nurses.”
Until a report by the Nursing Reconstruction Committee in 1942, an assistant nurse did not require formal training or qualifications. In an effort to raise the status of the nursing, the Nurses Registration Act was introduced in 1919, but without universal registration the profession’s standards could not be secured, and ‘unregulated’ nursing agencies represented a potential threat to patients. The report in 1942 recommended that assistant nurses be trained for two years and then pass a practical and oral test in order to be state-enrolled. This compared to the three or four years of training and written examination that state registered nurses undertook. See also MED01/01/3340-3342 and MED01/01/3344-3345. 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, Education, Women's History, Health And Welfare
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