Nits, nurses and the war: school nursing before the National Health Service

Area of Science:

• History of Medicine
• Public Health Policy
• Nursing History

Background:

• This study continues a historical analysis of school medical services, focusing on the development of school nursing post-World War I through World War II.
• It examines this evolution within the context of significant political and organizational changes, including impacts from both World Wars.
• The research addresses the scarcity of school nurses' own voices in historical accounts.

Observation:

• Historical records frequently mention school nursing activities but often lack direct perspectives from the nurses themselves.
• Key sources include archives from the Health Visitors' Association (and its predecessor, the Women Public Health Officers' Association) and the School Medical Group of the Society of Medical Officers of Health.
• Archival research was conducted at the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine and the Public Record Office.

Findings:

• The development of school nursing was shaped by broader societal and governmental changes.
• Professional associations' responses to proposed policy shifts provide insight into the professional landscape of school nursing.
• Analysis of primary sources reveals the challenges in reconstructing the lived experiences of school nurses.

Implications:

• Understanding the historical trajectory of school nursing informs current public health strategies and nursing practice.
• Recognizing the limitations of historical sources highlights the need for diverse perspectives in historical research.
• This research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the history of nursing and public health in the 20th century.