| Description | The surviving records commence with the period of radical reorganisation of the Nursing Service carried out in 1880 and associated with the appointment of Eva Luckes as Matron in that year (although it should be remembered that a Sub-Committee, to review the system, had been appointed in the previous year). Before that date there were Probationers, but their training consisted simply of one year's work on the wards, after which they were considered to be trained nurses, without examination. They were then expected to undertake a further 2 years service.
After the reforms of 1880 it was established that a Probationer's training should last 2 years, the first year being concerned with theoretical knowledge and the second with practical skills. If successful in the examination at the end of this time, the qualified nurse was expected to serve for a further year. The training was later extended to 3 years and 1 year after qualification. In 1884 a class of "Paying Probationers" - those who could afford to pay for their training - was introduced.
Following a request by the Matron, in June 1885, a Private Nursing Institution was established, in January 1886, to provide trained nurses for Private Patients. The purpose of the system was twofold: to boost the reputation and finances of the Hospital and to keep the services of nurses who might otherwise leave.
In 1895 the system of training was amended, by the introduction of a 7 week Preliminary Training Course at Tredegar House, devoted almost entirely to classroom learning, followed by an examination. In 1905 a department for the training of Pupil Midwives was established and was recognised by the Central Midwives Board in February 1906.
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| Administrative history | In the 18th century nurses were generally without any training or education and were left to deal with patients unsupervised. By the mid 19th century the importance of establishing a nursing profession was recognised, helped by the influence of Florence Nightingale and the establishment of her training school. In 1867, Miss Swift, who had been influenced by Florence Nightingale's ideas on nurse traing, became matron at The London. A nurse training school was opened in 1870, and in 1873 it was decided to build a separate school for nurses.
Before 1880 nurse probationers' training at the London Hospital consisted of one year's work on the wards, without examination, after which they were considered to be trained nurses. They were then expected to undertake a further 2 years service. A radical reorganisation of the nursing service was carried out in 1880, associated with the appointment of Eva Luckes as Matron, and the appointment of a sub-committee to review the system in 1879. After the reforms of 1880 it was established that a probationer's training should last 2 years, the first year being concerned with theoretical knowledge and the second with practical skills. If successful in the examination at the end of this time, the qualified nurse was expected to serve for a further year. The training was later extended to 3 years and 1 year after qualification. In 1884 a class of paying probationers for those who could afford to pay for their training, was introduced.
In 1895 the system of training was amended by the introduction of a 7 week preliminary training course at Tredegar House, devoted almost entirely to classroom learning, followed by an examination. A home for nurses was built from the profits of the construction of a railway line under the hospital estate. In 1905 a department for the training of pupil midwives was established and was recognised by the Central Midwives Board in February 1906.
During World War Two preliminary training for nurses was moved to 'Trueloves' at Ingatestone in Essex to replace the school at Tredegar House. During the 1950s and 1960s several new nursing courses started at The London, reflecting changes in patient care and medical treatment. These included state enrolled training, an integrated general and psychiatric registration course, specialised clinical courses and a pioneering degree programme. |
| Arrangement of the records | The subfonds takes the following arrangement;
RLHLH/N/1 - Nurse Probationers registers, 1880 - 1944
RLHLH/N/2 - Pupil Nurse Probationers (Tredegar House) registers, 1895 - 1940
RLHLH/N/3 - Pupil Midwives registers, 1905 - 1941
RLHLH/N/4 - Sisters and Nurses registers, 1880 - 1946
RLHLH/N/5 - Private Nursing Institution registers, 1886 - 1946
RLHLH/N/6 - Official Ward Books, 1901 - 1941
RLHLH/N/7 - Miscellaneous, 1909 - 1970
RLHLH/N/8 - Nurse Probationer's files, 1892 - 1975
RLHLH/N/9 - Miscellaneous nursing records, 1909 - c.1970
RLHLH/N/10 - Microfilm copies of London Hospital Central Nursing Office records, c.1939 - 1992
RLHLH/N/11 - Index cards of Nurse Probationers, c.1880 - c.1950
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