Muriel Powell (nurse)

Dame Muriel Betty Powell, DBE (1914–1978), was a British nurse, hospital matron, public servant and, briefly, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for the Scottish Home and Health Department (SHHD).[1][2]

Not to be confused with Muriel Powell (Chailey Heritage and Searchlight).

Background

In 1947, aged 32, Powell became matron at St George's Hospital.[3] Her age reportedly "raised eyeborws" among the medical establishment, which deemed her too young for the position, but she proved her critics wrong and would remain there for more than two decades (22 years). Powell was part of the government committee that recommended removal of the title "matron" from the National Health Service in 1968. The title has since been gradually reintroduced to the NHS lexicon.[4]

DBE
Plaque on the clock tower, Cinderford

Muriel Powell was knighted in 1968 for her services to nursing, including her tenure as matron of St George's Hospital, London.[5]

Legacy

The St George's Nurses League presents the Dame Muriel Powell Award to those who have made important contributions in the field of nursing.[6]

References
  1. Brindle, David. "How Dementia Blighted a Brilliant Nursing Reputation". London, United Kingdom: The Guardian, October 18, 2000.
  2. "Dame Muriel Powell (1914-1978), Chief Nursing Officer and matron of St George's Hospital". London, United Kingdom: National Portrait Gallery, retrieved online August 30, 2018.
  3. Brindle, "How Dementia Blighted a Brilliant Nursing Reputation". London, United Kingdom: The Guardian.
  4. Scott EJ. "Dame Muriel Powell (1914-1978): role model of a hospital matron and leader of nursing".
  5. Brindle, "How Dementia Blighted a Brilliant Nursing Reputation". London, United Kingdom: The Guardian.
  6. "Thank you to St George's nurses". www.stgeorges.nhs.uk (Press release). St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2016.

Sources
  • Thurgood, G. "Muriel Powell Remembered. A Profile of her Life", Journal of Nursing Management (July 2001)
  • Scott, Elizabeth J. C. "Dame Muriel Powell (1914-1978): role model of a hospital matron and leader of nursing". Journal of Medical Biography, Royal Society of Medicine publication; PMID 12522493 (as per the NCBI).[1]
  1. Scott EJ. "Dame Muriel Powell (1914-1978): role model of a hospital matron and leader of nursing".
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