by admin | Apr 14, 2017 |
Ipswich Hospital Nurses Rose Langford (4) and Annie Scott (1) were among a group of Queensland Nurses who sailed as members of the Australian Army Nursing Service on the Kyarra to Egypt to nurse Gallipoli troops. The Kyarra sailed from Brisbane on 21 November 1914. Photo credit: Goodman, R., 1985, Queensland Nurses – Boer War to Vietnam, Boolarong Publications, Brisbane ...
by admin | Nov 29, 2014 |
Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester accepted an invitation to lay the foundation stone for the Sunshine Ward at the Ipswich Hospital on 4 December 1934 during his visit to Australia for Queen Victoria’s centenary celebrations. Royal fever reached epidemic proportions as the year wore on and preparations progressed for the royal visit. Finally, on Tuesday 4 December the train carrying the Duke travelled down the range from Toowoomba, making brief stops at Gatton, Laidley and Rosewood where large crowds had gathered to welcome the royal visitor. The Duke arrived in Ipswich at 12.20pm on a typically hot and sticky summer day. After a civic welcome in Queen’s Park where “a spontaneous outburst of loyalty and affection sprang from the throats of several thousand children and adults”, the procession made its way to the hospital. Once again the Duke was greeted with “vociferous cheers” from the large crowd, including young patients in cots which had been wheeled outside for the occasion. Passing through a double row of flag-waving nurses, he made his way to the foundation stone, where the president of the Hospital Board Mr J.G. Bishop welcomed him, making special mention of the fact that a great deal of the money for the new building had been raised by the children. The Prince took the trowel, tapped the foundation stone, and declared it “well and truly laid”. Read the story of Ipswich Hospital’s Sunshine...
by admin | Nov 29, 2014 |
The decade from 1929-1939 was one of great hardship for many Australians. In this challenging environment in 1930 the decision was made to raise funds for a new children’s ward at the Ipswich Hospital. In the days before social media, Queensland Times journalist Fred Ware, known to his many young readers as Uncle William, played a pivotal role in unifying and motivating the community behind this cause. His young readers became members of the Sunshine League which, from 1919 onwards, raised funds for necessary items for the Ipswich Hospital. A decade later, Uncle William encouraged League members to take on the herculean task of raising funds for a much-needed children’s ward: “… we have only to think of how it will help a sick child to get better in a fine new building erected by the loving labour of other children, his pals, to know something of the significance and influence that our new Sunshine Ward will shed on our little friends who go there to regain their health.” After 4 years of tireless fundraising, the children of the Sunshine League together with the wider community had raised £3890, and a government grant of £5000 in 1933 enabled the Hospital Board to proceed. A Brisbane firm’s tender was accepted in 1934 for the construction of this new ward which would “embrace all modern developments in design and layout, and … be one of the most up to date of its kind in the state.” The building would comprise “four spacious wards, all the necessary offices including operating theatre, and accommodation for nursing mothers.” Endorsing the significance of their achievement,...
by admin | Feb 26, 2014 |
Glass syringes and stainless steel needles were the standard supply. Nursing staff were responsible for the maintenance, cleaning and sterilizing of these items. As the needles were re-usable, prior to cleaning and sterilising, thin guide wires would have to be introduced through the needle to ensure patency. The needles were also checked to ensure that there were no ‘snags’ and nurses would test for this using a piece of gauze. If a nurse dropped and broke a glass syringe, they were responsible for paying for the replacement...
by admin | Feb 26, 2014 |
In years gone by, eggs and oranges were a typical gift brought for relatives and friends in hospital. After visiting hours were over, nursing staff gathered up all the eggs and oranges. The next day, nursing staff would squeeze the oranges and cook the eggs for the patients in the...
