Nurses reflect on 140 years
Retired nurses Sue Carroll and Susan Cott have shared memories of more than 60 years of community nursing in Melbourne at a special event at Parliament House, Melbourne marking aged care provider Bolton Clarke’s 140th anniversary.
The organisation had its beginnings as Melbourne District Nursing Service – Australia’s first home nursing service – in 1885, later earning the royal assent as Royal District Nursing Service before joining with RSL Care in Queensland, taking the name Bolton Clarke.
Historic nurse’s uniforms from throughout that history were on display for the occasion.
“Our first nurses worked in homes where sanitation issues were often compounded by a lack of running water and no sewerage systems – a contributing factor in the epidemic of typhoid across the city,” Chief Operating Officer Home and Community Support Deidre McGill said.
“One of their most important roles was teaching people about hygiene and infection control – a task they often fulfilled while delivering babies into crowded homes, and something that remains an important part of the work we do.”
Nurse Sue Carroll said she was inspired to become a community nurse after seeing the care provided to her grandparents.
“I wanted to be a part of something that helped people stay in the comfort of their own home,” she said.
“I have found such joy in helping clients regain their independence.”
Sue said technological change had transformed nursing during her career and in the years since, from cars to communications and clinical equipment.
“I never had a computer, but I remember when the two-way radios were introduced for use on the road – it was wonderful because there was no more searching for a phone box to call back to the office,” she said.
“One of the biggest clinical changes was when clients living with diabetes could buy disposable syringes, which meant they could move from daily to weekly nurse visits.”
“Another huge advance was when we made the shift to air-conditioned cars,” Susan said.
“We were in Toranas, but we moved into the white Corollas.
“It’s just been the most extraordinary journey for me with all these amazing women.”
Today, Bolton Clarke’s nurses and carers travel more than 18 million kilometres every year and knock on more than 11,500 doors every day.
Head of fundraising Alex Cross said the 140 years event recognised the critical role donors and supporters had played in that growth and in helping more people access life-changing care and services.
“Ever since those earliest days, community support has been at the heart of what we do,” he said.
“That support has had a huge impact, from funding our nurses in the 1880s, through to supporting our Good Samaritan Fund, Homeless Persons Program and research projects like Connect Local today.
“We are deeply grateful to our supporters, many of whom have made a long-term commitment to assist with the development and delivery of our programs, services and research.”
