Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Human In-Vivo Bioassay for the Tissue-Specific Measurement of Nociceptive and Inflammatory Mediators
Published on: December 1, 2008
Life of Martha Entwistle: Australia's first convict mental health nurse
Toby Raeburn1, Carol Liston2, Jarrad Hickmott3
1Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract:
The present position paper provides an account of the life of Martha Entwistle, the earliest recorded convict nurse who worked within the Castle Hill Asylum. In our review of primary historical sources, Australia's first convict mental health nurse was found to be a resilient woman who endured several traumatic life experiences. Her nursing within Australia's first mental health asylum was highly valued by the superintendent of the service. She nursed in a harsh colonial environment, short of adequate resources, during an era of fast-paced industrial and technological a change. Martha Entwistle's experiences provide a historical account of the role of the early convict mental health nurse. Her life story enables modern-day nurses to reflect on the advances made in mental health nursing and contexts of care for nurses today.
Related Concept Videos
Aims Of Nursing
The Professional Nurse
Communication skills: These are critical characteristics, especially speaking and listening.
Nurses' Legal Responsibilities I
The legal responsibilities of a nurse regarding informed consent include the following:
Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
Communication between nurses and patients...
Nurses' Legal Responsibilities III
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
Accountability and Responsibility of a Nurse I

