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Collection charting the development of nursing education at St George's and related institutions from the 19th century to the present day.

The collection includes:

• Student registers, training and examination records, prospectuses and syllabuses
• Administrative records, including committee minutes, reports, rules and regulations
• Publications and printed material including books, newsletters and journals
• Papers, photographs and artefacts from St George’s Nurses’ League
• Personal papers, memoirs and memorabilia from individual nurses, including papers of matron Dame Muriel Powell (c.1910s-­1970s)
• Photographs, including student photographs, group photographs and personal photo albums
• Artefacts and objects, including items of nurses' uniform, badges, medals, and medical instruments
• ‘Nurses’ Voices’ oral history project: interviews with over 100 former St George’s nurses and midwives (and related documentation), recorded 2003-2008

From in-­job training at the hospital, nursing education was gradually formalised during the latter half of the 19th century. From 1882 onwards, probationer nurses were offered lectures by the medical school and hospital staff; these lectures developed into a more formal syllabus, becoming compulsory for probationers in the 1890s, and the first formal examinations were introduced in 1894. The archive charts the development of nursing education from the late 19th century to the 21st century, including important changes in the demographics of the nursing staff, such as the arrival of the Windrush generation.

The collection encompasses training of nurses at St George’s and related institutions: for instance, nursing training at Victoria Hospital for Children and Grove Hospital were merged with St George’s School of Nursing in the 1950s, leading to the establishment of a branch of the School of Nursing at Tooting, where St George’s Hospital and Medical School (later university) moved in the 1970s from Hyde Park Corner, central London.

Registers relating to the 'New Experiment in Nursing Education', aka the 'experimental course', which ran for a few years in the mid-1960s, and attempted to give the nursing curriculum a more systematic theoretical foundation based on the human life course (paediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, etc). It subsequently evolved into the '2+1' course (see NU/1/1/21).

The registers record student attendance at lectures, tutorials, visits, clinical conferences, study days, etc (including psychiatric nursing training at Atkinson Morley and West Park hospitals), as well as examination results. The date ranges and titles of the registers are as follows:

Nov 1965 – Sep 1967 ['New Experiment in Nursing Education']
Sep 1966 – Apr 1968 ['Record of Nursing Tutorials – Experimental Course']
Nov 1966 – Jul 1968 ['New Experiment in Nursing Education: Group II']
Nov 1967 – Oct 1969 ['Experimental Course']

Registers relating to the 2 + 1 course for student nurses. The 2 + 1 course was an extension of the 'experimental course' trialled in the mid-1960s (see NU/1/1/20): it involved a condensed two years of training followed by an intern year leading to registration. According to the oral history interview with Joan Clague (Chief Nursing Officer at the time: see NU/7/2/1), 'from the Autumn of ’69… the whole intake for registration went over to the 2 + 1', including graduate entrants. As it became the default pathway for students, the term '2 + 1' is not used consistently in the registers, and seems to have been gradually phased out by the 1980s (as course lengths continued to be experimented with for different student streams, e.g. '118 week course' and '166 week course').

The registers contain records of student attendance and assessment for different sections of the course (paediatrics, medicine, surgery, obstetrics, psychiatry, neurosurgery, etc), including placements at other hospitals (see name access points for list); they generally have additional typed documents (timetables, lecture lists, exam questions, allocation lists, etc) taped in. A majority also contain class photographs; Some also contain photographs and lists of student details/qualifications. The date ranges are as follows:

Sep 1969 – Oct 1971 [bulging with taped-in notes/documents – spine has cracked]
Mar 1970 – Feb 1972 [oversize; includes photograph]
Sep 1970 – Apr 1971 ['2 + 1 students: Sept 1970 set, Stage I']
Mar 1971 – Aug 1972 ['Mar 1971 Entry + Revision'; oversize; includes photograph]
Apr 1971 – Oct 1972 ['2 + 1 students: Sept 1970 set, Stage II']
Sep 1971 – Oct 1973
Sep 1974 – Aug 1982 [register of completion dates for candidates, but reverse of book also contains lists of applications relating to student residence (?), 1967-1972; cover is detached]
Mar 1977 – Oct 1979
Sep 1979 – Jul 1982
Nov 1979 – Jan 1981
Jul 1980 – Jul 1983
Apr 1981 – Sep 1984
Jul 1982 – May 1985
Oct 1984 – Oct 1987
Sep 1985 – Sep 1988

Group of registers labelled 'St George's General Students' (and occasionally 'Mental Health Students') containing records of student training and leaving dates. Note that despite the St George's label, they also contain lists of students from or seconded to other affiliated hospitals, including St James', Bolingbroke, Springfield, South London, and Netherne; this reflects the increasing integration of training across hospital sites after the NHS reorganisation of 1974. Also, by the end of the period covered by these registers, St George's nurse training had been amalgamated first with Roehampton and then Kingston University.

The date ranges for the volumes are as follows:

1974-1978 [a handwritten note inside this register states 'Not St George's', and a pencil addition identifies it as 'St James'': indeed this volume mostly seems to relate to St James' nurses, but it has been retained here as it was retroactively absorbed into the 'St George's General' series]
1979-1981 [contains inserted item of correspondence from former student (1989) and later printout of list of students]
1982-1983 ['General Students and Pupils']
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990 ['St George's General & Mental Students'; includes item of correspondence from Springfield Hospital about reorganisation of acute admissions beds]
1992
1993 [contains copies of letter advertising 'Nursing Ethics' journal]
1994 [contains item of correspondence about ward closure at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton]
1994-1995 ['Mental Health Students']
1995

Records relating to nursing training at Atkinson Morley's Hospital. Note that AMH was always affiliated to St George's (beginning as a convalescent home for St George's patients), and that in the post-war period trainee nurses from St George's routinely undertook placements there to gain experience in neurosurgical nursing. Researchers interested in AMH should therefore also consult the general St George's registers sub-series (NU/1/1).

Three folded architectural plans produced by the firm of W. H. Watkins, Gray & Partners (aka Watkins Gray), depicting the following:

i) Tooting Grove Experimental Ward: 30 Bed Ward Unit, 5 Nov 1963
ii) Tooting Grove 30 Bed Experimental Ward Unit: Joinery Details - Cleaner's room, hinged shelves & seats, 9 Jul 1964
iii) Atkinson Morley's Hospital, Wimbledon: Rehabilitation Centre – Floor plan at level 91.00, Jul 1964

46 audio cassettes of recordings of Nurses' League conferences, debates, and related events/interviews. Topics include Atkinson Morley's Hospital, Agenda for Change, the development of nursing in Gaza (Palestine), ICP stroke, Muriel Powell, etc.

Photographs collected by or donated to the Nurses' League, including:

• 2 albums of black and white group photographs of trainee nurse cohorts, annotated with surnames, 1952-1977
• envelope of colour photographs 'taken during the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new [Tooting] hospital', with names written on the reverse, c.1963-1964
• colour photographs of a Nurses' League reunion party, Nov 1987
• album of colour photographs of meetings of the re-established Nurses' League, annotated with names, 1989-1992 [oversize]
• two black and white photographs of staff nurse Gaynor Arney and senior outpatients nurse Wendy Miller lighting a candle to mark the relaunch of the Nurses' League, c.1989
• glassine bag labelled 'From Sue Hawkins 17.2.04' containing colour photographs of an event to commemorate Atkinson Morley Hospital, c.2003
• Kodak wallet of colour photographs (with Picture CD) of an event to commemorate Muriel Powell held in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, 2004
• 2 yellow slide boxes containing colour slides of Atkinson Morley Hospital buildings, wards and grounds, 1974
• blue slide box containing black and white and colour slides of nurses, hospital wards [at Atkinson Morley?], vehicles, buildings, maps, etc., c.1970s-1980s [but including reproductions of images c.1940s]
• set of negatives labelled 'Nurses' League Meeting, Autumn 1990'
• miscellaneous personal photographs of Sheilagh Hall, Lulu Cassells and Grace Brooks (née Brinsley), and a Nursing Times photograph of nurses with tennis rackets, c.1950s-2013

Contains post-it note stating 'From the papers of Mary Lee Abbott, 1999'

Includes two versions of a prospectus booklet (one for state registered and one for state enrolled nurses) for the course in neurosurgical and neurological nursing at Atkinson Morley's Hospital and a brochure about the Wolfson Medical Rehabilitation Centre (part of the Atkinson Morley site); the latter has a reprinted 1967 article from the British Hospital Journal & Social Service Review inserted.

Photocopies of documents relating to Pauline Boutle, including:

• correspondence from St George's Hospital, 1961-1962
• test and exam papers, 1965
• class photograph and photographs of Boutle and patients in grounds of Atkinson Morley's Hospital, 1962-1964
• programme for 'Up the Corner', a production by the St George's Hospital Medical School Dramatic Society, 1966
• signed menu for St George's Hospital Supper Dance, 24 Apr 1967
• St George's Hospital dietary advice, c.1960s

Set of black and white photographs in a series entitled 'Life and Work of a Hospital Matron', taken by photographer Tom L. Blau of Camera Press, c.1950. The series follows Muriel Powell on her daily rounds across the various sites managed by St George's, including Hyde Park Corner, Atkinson Morley Hospital, the Preliminary Training School at Earl's Court, Northumberland House, Possil House, an operating theatre, the Nurses' Council, kitchens, hospital wards, shots of outdoor recreation, etc. Also includes typescript and photocopy of an accompanying text by Blau (which states that the photographs were 'first used in Woman's Journal, Apr 1953') and a photocopy of one of the photographs annotated with names.

The prints have copyright stamps on the reverse, and most of them also have captions affixed; some have also been marked up for cropping.

Black and white and colour photographs featuring or from the papers of Mary Lee Abbott, matron of Atkinson Morley's Hospital (1956-1972). They include portraits/group shots of Lee Abbott and colleagues (including Muriel Powell, Olive Walden Jones, Eileen Rees, Grace Hickie and Wylie McKissock), images of hospital wards and buildings (at Atkinson Morley, Hyde Park Corner and Tooting), and official events (including the opening of St James' Wing and the Muriel Powell ward). Most of the photographs are annotated on the reverse with details of names and locations.

Black and white and colour photographs of Atkinson Morley's (Convalescent) Hospital buildings and nurses, including the entrance, Possil House (the nurses' residence), hospital wards (including Brodie ward), a bar, and scenes from a concert/theatrical performance in 1935 (annotated and signed E. P. Good on the reverse).

Folder containing interview summary sheet, copyright agreement, copyright caveat form, MiniDisc recording of interview (22 Apr 2008), audio CD copy, a letter enclosing a photograph of 'Atkinson Morley's Neurosurgical Theatre', additional typed reminiscences, and printouts of scanned photographs and documents (including several relating to Atkinson Morley's Hospital and Wylie McKissock)

Folder containing interview summary sheet, two copyright agreements, two MiniDiscs of interview recordings (27 May 2004 – original and transcriber's copy), two sets of audio CD copies (two discs each), and a photocopy of a letter with an attached envelope enclosing black and white photos (of nurses at Atkinson Morley's Hospital), negatives, and a press cutting about Averil Wingent

Ref no: NV001
Name: Joan Clague
Dates at St George's: 1967-74

Digital images, copyright form and transcript of audio recording with Carol McCubbin as interviewer. No digitised audio recording present.

Image descriptions:
PH011/PH031 [two versions] – Ball at Grosvenor House, c.1968-1969: Clockwise from bottom facing camera: Mrs Hugh Anderson; Mr Richard Ellis (House Governor); Mrs Gordon Marsh; Mrs Betty Ellis; Unknown gentleman; Lady Monkton (member of Board of Governors); Dame Muriel Powell (Chief Nursing Officer); Mr Gordon Marsh (Deputy House Governor); Miss Joan Clague (Principal Nursing Officer - Service); Hospital Chaplin (Nash?); Wife of Chaplin; Wife of Board of Governors (Trade Union Rep); Board of Governors member (Trade Union Rep); Mr Hugh Anderson (Consultant surgeon, member of Nursing committee)
PH708 – Joan Clague Nov 1969: Studio photo of Joan Clague in uniform taken Nov 1969 when she was appointed to succeed Dame Muriel who advised her to have one taken as "it will come in useful".
PH709 – Joan Clague PTS Oct 1950 at Guy's: Official PTS photo Oct 1950 at Guy's. Joan Clague is standing first left on the second row.
PH710 – Joan Clague in grounds of PTS in Surrey, 1950: Joan Clague (right) in grounds of PTS in Surrey.
PH711 – Joan Clague Hampstead General Hospital in 50s: Joan Clague at Hampstead General Hospital taken in the mid 50s. The Hospital was pulled down when the new Royal Free was built. This is in the OPD/Casualty at Christmas and Joan is directly behind the Sister in charge on the first row wearing a Tubigauze.

PH712 – Joan Clague at Base Hospital Cairnes in 1960: Joan Clague at the Base Hospital in Cairnes, Australia. She is second left (wearing glasses). She was a £10 Pom and spent 3 years working round Australia.

Ref no: NV011
Name: Jo Dunstone
Dates at St George's: 1956-[1959?]

Digital images, copyright form and transcript of audio recording with Sue Hawkins as interviewer. No digitised audio recording present.

Image descriptions:
PH001 – Jo Dunstone 1956: Jo Dunstone as probationer taken in 1956. Notice Striped uniform of probationers.
PH002 – Jo Dunstone 1959: Jo Dunstone in her new staff nurse uniform in 1959. Notice: stripes gone, peterpan collar gone, straps to apron gone.
PH003 – Set of 56: Group photograph of Dunstone's PTS set in 1956

Ref no: NV113
Name: Ann Salmon (née Dixon)
Dates at St George's: 1961-1964

Digital images, copyright form, audio files and transcript of interview conducted by Averil Wingent.

Image descriptions:
PH007 – Dorcas House: In one of the bedrooms. Back Row, L-R: 1. Joy Leask 2. Sue Meade. Front row, L-R: 1. Marianne 2. Unknown 3. Pat Parsons 4. Unknown 5. Ann Salmon.
PH008 – Bronte House: Nurse's room at Bronte House. Lots of private possessions/clutter to ake it feel like home. Bed, easy chair, chest, dressing table.
PH010 – May 61 set: PTS (Preliminary Training School) set, May 1961;
PH718 – Ann Salmon: Ann Salmon in uniform with staff nurse's frilly cap, c. March 1964

Ref no: NV114
Name: Ann Sulston (née Hemmen)
Dates at St George's: 1949-1953

Digital images, copyright form, audio files and transcript of interview conducted by Jenny Beckingsale.

Image descriptions:
PH077 – Ann Sulston in outdoor uniform, c.1949-1950;
PH078 – Ann Sulston 1949 Set: March 1949 set at Cumberland House, Earls Court;
PH079 – Ann Sulston PTS 1949: PTS [Preliminary Training School] at Cumberland House, 1949;
PH080 – Ann Sulston outside AMH [Atkinson Morley's Hospital] 1950;
PH081 – Ann Sulston 1950: Group of sisters [?], c.1950;
PH082 – AMH 1950: View of Atkinson Morley's Hospital, 1950

Ref no: NV116
Name: Janet West (née Phillips)
Dates at St George's: 1952-1956

Digital images, copyright form, audio files and transcript of interview conducted by Jenny Beckingsale.

Image descriptions:
PH732 – Janet West: Janet West in uniform after passing Prelim. Taken during 'block' in 1954.
PH733 – Janet West 1: Janet West in outdoor uniform standing beside the Serpentine, 1954.

Ref no: NV117
Name: Gillian Wilson (née Rolls)
Dates at St George's: 1956-1959

Digital image, copyright form, audio files and transcript of interview conducted by Diana Hampton.

Image description:
PH727 – Gillian Wilson: Gillian Wilson (née Rolls) in uniform, SRN, 1956

Ref no: NV118
Name: Joan Woodgate
Dates at St George's: 1932-1936

Digital images, copyright form, audio files and transcript of interview conducted by Diana Hampton.

Image descriptions:
DOC001 – Notes for probation night duty: Page one of a 2-page handwritten document describing the night duty routine for a probationer. Found tucked inside a copy of 'Grove & Biddale (?)'.
DOC001A – Notes for probation nigth [sic] duty page 2: Second page of above

Ref no: NV119
Name: Norma Young (née Williams)
Dates at St George's: 1953-1957

Copyright form, audio files and transcript of interview conducted by Margaret Lloyd

Ref no: NV123
Name: Vivien Jenkinson
Dates at St George's: 1940-1964

Digital image, copyright form, audio files and transcript of interview conducted by Shirley Orbell.

Image description:
PH750 – Vivien Jenkinson: 2 Polyphotos of Vivien Jenkinson in outdoor and indoor uniform just after completing the probationary year and becoming a blue frock, Nov 1941