A photograph of a nurse caring for a sick colleague in Glasgow Royal Infirmary's nurses' home, early 20th century.
The Royal's first nurses' home opened in 1888 and provided eighty-eight bedrooms, linked to the main building by a glazed corridor. It was said that the matron, whose room overlooked the corridor, would keep a close eye on the passageway at night to ensure that no men made their way to the nurses quarters!
In 1891 it was reported that the nursing staff's daily sick list rarely contained less than twenty names. The quality of food available in the home was improved, a monthly holiday was introduced, working hours were reduced and other measures taken to improve conditions and safeguard the health of the nurses.
Reference: RCPSG, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Reproduced with the permission of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Keywords:
Glasgow Royal Infirmary, matrons, nurses, nurses' homes, nursing, voluntary hospitals, women
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