The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #120236   Message #2614169
Posted By: Bonecruncher
18-Apr-09 - 09:55 PM
Thread Name: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
Subject: RE: BS: Support Nurse Margaret Haywood
Perhaps the UK Nursing regulatory body should be reminded that nursing, as known today, would not exist had it not been for a very determined and well-connected young lady who loudly blew the whistle and upset politicians, military leaders, the Church, the landed classes who at that time ruled the country, and the common people.
When Fliorence Nightingale heard of the plight of British soldiers injured in the Crimean War she usd her father's money to take herself, with a team of helpers, to minister to the sick and try and improve the appalling conditions in the military battlefield "hospitals" of the time.
Florence Nightingale, "the Lady with the lamp", having investigated the conditions she left her helpers in place attending the sick, returned to England and immediately lobbied politicians and contacted the Editors of the newspapers of the day. Her first verbal assault was on her neighbour, the Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.
She actively sought media attention.
She was probably the biggest muck-stirrer of her time.
We all know the outcome of her activities.
Florence Nightingale, probably the best-known UK whistle-blower, is buried at West Wellow, Hampshire, her tombstone marked simply "FN" and her dates of birth and death.

I've signed the petitions. Have you?
Colyn.