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A review of the first 50 years of The League on the occasion of the 50th Annual General Meeting Sheila Collins OBE, BA (Hons), SRN, RSCN, RNT, FRCN When printing, please note this long paper has been split into three sections. Contents
50 years of "The London Hospital League" This will be, essentially, a personal account of the history of the League over the past 50 years. There are founder members of the League present today, and many who have been members for over 40 years, so that I feel ill qualified to speak on some aspects of an history in their presence. In the space of one hour, one can only make some observations, and draw your attention to certain fundamental issues that have not changed over the years. In making choices - there will inevitably be omissions and I can only suggest that you will all enjoy adding your own reflections and sharing these together during the remainder of the day. The chief source of material about the history of the League comes from copies of 'The Review'. It is a rich source, from the first copy in 1932. The tradition of "Matron's Annual Letter to her Nurses" which Miss Eva Luckes began and which was continued by Miss Beatrice Monk, was broken in 1932 when Miss Littleboy wrote her letters to be published in the League Review. The League was founded in 1931 by Miss Beatrice Monk, CBE, RRC.
The first Honorary Treasurer was Miss Littleboy, and Miss Dorothy Harvey, the Tutor Sister was the Secretary, and there were 18 Committee members. The objects of the League were set out and printed in the first copy of the Review in 1932.
Setting out objectives is therefore not a new phenomenon! How have these objectives been carried out over the past 50 years? a) to form a bond between past and present staff This is very evidently an objective that has been achieved. It is evidenced not only by attendances at League meetings, but also by the letters written to the Hon. Secretaries, there have been 8 of these during fifty years -
Many League members keep in touch with each other, offer hospitality to members travelling abroad, and share their experiences by writing accounts of their work at home and overseas. It is amusing to read in the editorial of the first copy of the Review "it is hoped that all League members will feel inspired to send information for the Review" - and "it would be a great help if they add RRC or other honours that they hold after their names - and also SRN when entitled to do so." The fellowship - or this bond - between League members is also seen by the continuing generations training here - children, grand children, great grand children, and God children - both men and women - since the first men began training here in 1968. The Benevolent Fund has benefitted from your donations, from legacies from former members, their friends and patients, and through it we have been able to assist members who need help in difficult times. There have been six Presidents in past years, one of whom is here today, and I am sure each of them shared my feelings of real pleasure, when acting as treasurer of the Benevolent Fund. The knowledge that help can be offered and accepted indicates that fellowship exists. For the record these six Presidents were:-
Back to Top b) to undertake such work as may from time to time be conducive to the welfare of the League and the Hospital. The Hospital 1. Recruitment. One of the functions of the League has already been mentioned - encouraging others to take up nursing. A much wider recruitment effect can be identified also - as an example - three of our Nursing Career's advisers have been recruited at a League meeting during the past fourteen years - Derry Wilmot, Vicky Styles, and Unity Kingsmill.2. Back to Nursing. Recruitment to the nursing staff of the hospital, and back to nursing elsewhere, has been a feature over the years. In 1966 Elsie Anderson wrote an article "Bridging the Gap" about her return to nursing at the Zachary Merton Home, Banstead and Patricia Mills (nee Hunt) wrote an account describing how, encouraged at a League meeting to offer her services to her local hospital, she came back to nursing and found herself becoming a clinical teacher at the 'Radcliffe.' Seven years later, Glenys Brommeyer nee Harrison wrote to say that that article had spurred her on to return to nursing as her children grew older, and she was working for 3 nights per week in a hospital in Adelaide, Australia, where her London Hospital badge gained her considerable respect from the medical staff.3. The Roses. The excitement engendered by the building of the Pathology Department on the Garden of Eden will long be remembered by many of us - and the promise by the Chairman of the London Hospital Board of Governors to League members to replace this by a garden around the tennis courts behind John Harrison House. This was followed by the gift of rose bushes by League members - and in particular by a Mile End member - for the roses in the hospital garden. Those of you who came in through the Front Door will no doubt have seen that the garden is again "subject to workmen" - but the raised garden next to the dining room is taking shape - and the roses will be replaced there! The League The Welfare of the LeagueIn 1932 the Annual subscription to the League was "5/- to include the Review which shall not be sent in any year until the subscription for that year has been paid." Contrast that with today's rates - £1. In 1951 the cost of posting Election papers for the League gave cause for concern - it had been increased from one penny to one penny halfpenny! In 1958 to post the Review cost 6 pence - as opposed to present rate of 19p. Back to Top On to part 2. Page last updated by DEB on 9/9/02 |
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She was Matron of 'The London' from 1919 when Miss Luckes died until 1931 when Miss Littleboy succeeded her. Miss Monk was an amazing woman - unassuming yet an organiser committed to the development of nursing as a profession - and President of the Royal College of Nursing from 1938 to 1940. She was most supportive to at least one new Honorary Secretary and new Committee members and remained interested in the progress of The London and the League until she died in June 1962. When some of us went to the I.C.N. Congress in Rome in 1957, she lent us her cine' camera to record the events so that we might share our experience with others. In 1931, when founding the League she was supported by two Vice Presidents - Dame Maude McCarthy, GBE, RRC, L.H. 1889 - to S. African war, Matron in Chief Q.A.I.M.N.S., British Armies in France 1914 -19, T.A. Service 1920 - 25, died April 1st 1949, and Miss A. McIntosh, CBE, RRC, ex L.H. 1897, Matron of Barts from 1910 -1927 and a founder member of the Rcn.