Not a lot of Health & Safety back then!

I HAVE just returned home after minor surgery at Derriford Hospital’s Rowan House unit, where I was treated kindly and efficiently by all staff, whom I thank most sincerely, and where I was shown the worldclass diagnostic and treatment equipment. We are very fortunate to have such a unit in Plymouth.

It sparked off many memories: I first arrived as a trainee midwife at North Road railway station in September, 1957. The taxi driver asked me, “where be to, m’andsum” and deposited me at Nelson Gardens, my home for the next few months (think of Nonnatus House in Call The Midwife). Next day duty called and a short walk, in uniform, to Albert Road and the Alexander Maternity Home, with tuition from Sister Yearling and staff. The Central Midwives Board required us pupils to deliver babies under supervision, with anaesthetics – recording these in a register I still have.

I vividly recall those early days, where the treatment room was sparse and the steriliser was a gasoperated copper which we would light, lying on the floor, with the aid of a taper. Many an eyebrow was singed in these efforts! Health & Safety would be horrified!

Mrs Joyce Stevens Smith, SRN, SCM Cawsand, Cornwall