The development of nursing at the General Hospital, Birmingham, 1779-1919

In 1996 the archives of many of the Birmingham hospitals were deposited in the Birmingham Reference Library. This has afforded nurse historians the opportunity to conduct research into the development of nursing in the city. This is to be welcomed as there is little published work regarding nursing in Birmingham. This paper examines the development of nursing from the Hospital's opening in 1779 until 1919. By the latter date, a modern system of nursing, consisting of a disciplined, salaried and well-trained staff, managed to a greater degree by nurses had emerged in the Hospital.