WHEN Matron began her nursing career she was little more than a domestic drudge.
From early morn to late at night she scrubbed, cleaned, polished and dusted. If she finished her allotted tasks she started all over again.
Only when she achieved satisfactory standards was she allowed to progress. There followed endless rounds of bed-making, back-rubbing, blanket baths and bedpans.
Somehow, between all this, she managed to attend lectures and find time to study.
On reaching sister status, there was no job in the ward she had not done, and she could be relied upon to roll up her sleeves and demonstrate the standards she expected.
She undertook more and more paperwork and by the time she was promoted to the corridors had acquired a power of command comparable to any sergeant major.
Among your correspondence I recently read a letter recommending bringing back the old-time Matron. A very noble sentiment but where would anyone get that kind of training nowadays?
JOHN HINTON,
Worcester.
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