Theodora Turner, OBE, ARRC (5 August 1907 – 24 August 1999) was a British nurse and hospital matron.
Theodora Turner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 August 1907 Congleton, Cheshire |
| Died | 24 August 1999 (aged 92) Wantage, Oxfordshire |
| Occupation(s) | nurse, matron |
Early years and education
editTheodora Turner was born on 5 August 1907 in Congleton, Cheshire, one of five children. Her father later became Conservative Party agent in Salisbury where she attended the Godolphin School, Salisbury.[1]
Her parents initially sent her to study at Atholl Crescent, the Edinburgh School of Domestic Science but Turner wished to become a nurse and, with her parents consent, entered St Thomas' Hospital and the Nightingale School of Nursing in the summer of 1929.[1] She completed her training as a nurse with the silver medal, but declined to join the League of St Barnabas, an Anglican society for nurses against the suggestion of the matron, Dame Alicia Lloyd-Still.[2] She took her midwifery training at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, then returned to St Thomas' Hospital as a ward nursing sister. She completed the International Council of Nurses' course for nurse administrators at Bedford College in 1939.[3]
Second World War
editWhen war broke out in 1939 Turner joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QARANC), was mobilised at Congleton.[4] She served on a hospital ship and was present during the evacuation from Dunkirk.[5] In 1942 she was posted to the 56th Division and served in Iran, Egypt and Tripoli.[5] She then served in a Neurological unit in Bari, Italy.[6][4] Turner was awarded Associate of the Royal Red Cross in recognition of her distinguished service in Italy.[7]
Later career
editOn her return to civilian life she took up post as administrative sister at St Thomas' Hospital before her appointment as matron of Liverpool's Royal Infirmary in 1948.[1] Turner left in 1953 to care for her elderly parents and took up post of Principal of the Royal College of Nursing's Education Centre in Birmingham.[5]
Turner was appointed matron of St Thomas' Hospital and superintendent of the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing in 1955.[8] She retired in 1965, having contributed to the post-war rebuilding of the hospital and introduced many innovations in nurse education.[5] Turner was an active member of the Nightingale Fellowship (the organisation open to all nurses who trained at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing).[5]
Turner was an active member of the Royal College of Nursing and elected member of Council (1950–53).[9][5] She was a Royal College of Nursing representative on the Whitley Council which negotiated nurses' salaries.[1] After retiring, she became president of the RCN (1966-1968).[1] She later relocated to Scotland, where she served on the Argyll and Clyde Health Board.[2]
Awards
editDeath
editTheodora Turner died at Wantage, Oxfordshire, aged 92, from old age.[1]
Curriculum vitae
edit- ARRC, 1944
- Education Officer, Education Centre, Royal College of Nursing, Birmingham, 1953–55
- Matron, St Thomas' Hospital and Superintendent, Nightingale Training School, 1955–65
- President, Royal College of Nursing, 1966–68
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Hancock, Christine (30 September 1999). "Theodora Turner". the Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Obituaries: Theodora Turner". The Independent. 31 August 1999. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ ""The International Council of Nurses."". The Nursing Record. 87 (2052): 182. July 1939 – via Royal College of Nursing Historical Journals Collection.
- ^ a b ""Theodora Turner. Obituary"". The Times: 21. 7 September 1999.
- ^ a b c d e f Pearson, Elizabeth (27 August 1965). ""Miss Turner of St. Thomas's." ". Nursing Times: 1181 – via Royal College of Nursing Historical Journals Collection.
- ^ "Royal College of Nursing Oral History Collection". archives.rcn.org.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ a b ""Royal Red Cross."". The Nursing Record. 92 (2114): 98. September 1944.
- ^ ""Topical Notes. St Thomas' Hospital "". Nursing Times. 51: 774. 15 July 1955 – via Royal College of Nursing Historical Journals Collection.
- ^ ""Topical Notes. "". Nursing Times. 49: 962. 26 September 1953 – via Royal College of Nursing Historical Journal Collection.
- ^ "United Kingdom: "No. 42231"". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 December 1960. pp. 8889–8922.