The reality of early nursing days

By Rose Hails
Former NHS Nurse

The uniforms were very different to those worn today

There are those who would advocate we return to the old days and standards of the National Health Service.

A ward Sister and Matron ruling the roost with a rod of iron.

But is this all seen through rose tinted glasses? Were the standards of care in those days up to the mark?

Rose Hails was a nurse from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, and recalls the days in excerpts from her journal.

1953-1955

Aged 16, I left my home in Ashington for a pre-nursing position at an annexe of Newcastle General Hospital - Wellburn Nursery, Ovingham.

In charge was Sister Plaskett, a strict and fair disciplinarian. Cleanliness was next to Godliness, Terry napkins white as snow.

Uniform consisted of a blue and white stripe dress, white apron, cuffs and collar, butterfly caps, black shoes, stockings - and smart we were.

Wages were £5, rising to £6 per week - after deduction of board and lodgings.

Sisters were always revered by staff and patients alike

Toddlers were walked twice a day.

First nurses to the pram shed claimed the two Silver Crosses, the rest got buggy types, deep brown body, tiny wheels (1930s original).

Smallest child per pram, the rest held by reigns. Once out of sight, all were dumped into the prams.

Highlight of the day was a passing lorry load of National Service lads from the nearby RAF camp, amid wolf whistles, chancy remarks or an occasional blind date note.

We were allowed one late pass per week, 11pm, occasionally 12. Village hops, youth club parties, pictures and Saturday night at Prudhoe Ballroom, across the Tyne, via Shank's Pony and occasional blind dates with dishy RAF lads.

1955 - 1957

Highfield Isolation Hospital, Chester-le-Street junior probationer (registered fever nurse). Three months in the preliminary training school at The Towers, Durham City (with Dryburn nurses).

Tutored by Sister Gascoigne and looked after by housekeeper and maid, we never had it so good. Great social life, ice rink, ballroom, pictures and parties.

Rose Hails worked in the NHS for 41 years and saw many changes

After three months we returned to the isolation hospital where matron was a rigid disciplinarian (army style).

A telling-off was what we called being blasted out. No-one was exempt. Sisters, doctors, domestics and gardeners. And we learned to take a telling off and had a stiff upper lip.

There were five wards, all separate buildings. Three long-stay tuberculosis, males and females were kept separated.

Cubicle patients had no visitors, so letters and parcels etc. were handed into the lodge.

Long stay babies and children could forget their parents and family.

Unpleasant tasks of handling and counting dirty linen (after treatment) before laundry.

Wearing protective clothing, but never ever was there cross infection or the horror of super bugs.

Six months into training, we went to collect patients via ambulance. However once we dropped in at the wrong house, who just happened to have someone sick.

Not the brightest family, they sent me upstairs, an old bed-bound granny began screaming.

We swiftly departed from Number 37 to 57 for our patient who was a young woman. This, we kept under wraps to avoid Matron's fury.

Nursing always had its fun side with great camaradere

My friend went to collect three tinker children with typhoid and the address was: The Tent, The Tip, Durham.

Some appalling conditions were encountered.

The saying was, if you survived two years training to be a registered nurse at Highfield, you could have joined the foreign legion.

But I must say Matron could be the most charming person off duty.

1957 - 1959

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. Two years general training (one year reduction for fever training).

Radium treatment. Removal of radium by nurses, garbed in rubber gown, gloves, shoes, cotton mask, geiger counter (radium output) and lead container.

Run like hell to the basement, deposit container, contents and check madly clicking geiger counter. White, green, red for danger? Do not fall nurse.

Three month's night duty allocated per year. Staff nurse, student, auxiliary each unit and two night sisters for the whole hospital.

Rose was a member of the Welburn Nursery nursing team (second left)

Staff shortages, sickness and holidays could result in student nurses being in charge, thrown in at the deep end, but we coped.

Split shifts, 48 hour week, wages £12-£20 per month and free meals.

There was not the mod cons and medical equipment of today and we did not have mountains of paperwork. But hygiene and nursing standards imperative.