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History of Nursing in Trinidad
History of Nursing in Trinidad
PERIOD OF SLAVERY
In the 19th century these were the presence of nursing in the plantation “hospitals” on sugar
estates during slavery for the provision of nursing care. They were trained nurses from England.
1822:- A proclamation was signed authorizing the levying of a legacy duty in Trinidad to
construct a building for medical attendants in Port Of Spain.
1837:- Temporary Colonial Hospital established on Cambridge Street (upper St. Vincent Street
between Park And Oxford Streets) in an old cinema,
1848:- The General Board of Health was instituted which formed the embryonic stage of Public
Health in Trinidad.
1850’s:- Nurse Florence Nightingale was proclaimed “Lady of the Lamp” by soldiers during the
Crimean War for now intense nursing practise to the casualties.
1860:- The Lunatic Asylum was established in Belmont for the mentally ill.
1861:- The Colonial hospital, San Fernando was instituted at the old Army Barracks (the old
Ante- Natal Clinic) on the present hospital compound.
1889:- Post of Matron in charge of the kitchen was included in Nursing Structure
1898:- Training of Midwives was provided through the Medical Board Ordinance for women
who could read and write. These women were licensed as midwives after being in attendance of
(10) cases of labour.
SONG- FREEDOM.
Period 1930-1959
ESTABLISHMENT OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REGISTERED NURSES
ASSOCIATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NURSING COUNCIL OF TRINIDAD
1930:- Certified Nurses Association of Trinidad and Tobago was founded at the Colonial
Hospital, San Fernando.
1932:- Trained Nurses and Midwives Association was inaugurated at Port Of Spain Colonial
Hospital
1933:-Both Nurses Association made continual representations to local authorities and several
Committees and Royal Commissions sent from the Colonial Office in England to enquire into
matters affecting Nursing. Members gave evidence before these commissions.
1934:- Medical Officers organised a course of lectures in Public Health Nursing based on a
modified syllabus of the Royal Sanitary Institute. Participants paid for this education and
attended same on their personal time. This was the first structured programme in Public Health
Nursing Education.. Royal West India Commission recommended that increase attention should
be paid to the training of nurses by such methods as the appointment of Sister Tutors and
Centralization of training institutions.
1935:- Name of the Lunatic Asylum was changed to Mental Hospital. Appointment of a Specific
Board to standardize educational qualifications for entry into Nurse Training. Ward Sisters were
appointed from among the trained nurses at the hospitals.
1938:- Memorandum submitted by both Nurses Association to the West India Royal
Commission (MOYNE COMMISSION) recommending Registration for Nurses.
First unqualified Sister Tutor was appointed from Overseas Nursing Service to teach at Colonial
Hospital, Port of Spain.
1940:- The first scholarship for nurses was granted for representatives of each of the two
Associations to study at the West India School of Public Health Jamaica. The granting of such
scholarships was later assumed by the Government.
1943:- Both Nurses Association again prepared a draft bill to provide registration of nurses in the
Colony.
1952: Recruitment programme conducted by Nursing Council to attract suitable candidates from
secondary school into nursing.
1953:- Ms. Marjorie Houghton M.B.E. Education Officer, General Nursing Council of England
and Wales insisted the hospitals to evaluate the quality of training for the purpose of granting
Reciprocal Registration with the General Council of England and Wales.
1954:- First locally trained nurses to be appointed as Senior Nursing Sister (Nursing
Supervisors.) New Colonial Hospital, San Fernando completed.
1955:- Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret officially opened Colonial Hospital, San
Fernando.
1958:- Full Reciprocity obtained for locally trained nurses with Nurses with Nursing Council of
England and Wales. Minister of Health, Water and Sanitation held a meeting with all qualified
Sister Tutors to discuss issues relating to the Professional Nurses under the exiting conditions.
“Resulting from this a committee was set up to provide all three nursing schools with equipment;
libraries and other resources which included structural improvements to one of the schools.
1959:- Sister Tutor represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Conference of Nursing
Administrators sponsored by the Federal Government in cooperation with British, Guyana,
British Honduras, it was held in Barbados. The Association was also represented, this
Conference wrote a Charter for the future direction of nursing in the Caribbean.
Preliminary examination of Nursing Council was conducted in Part 1 and Part 2 for student
nurses. Nurse Practitioner programme discussion commenced.
Staff Development programme in Primary Health Care and the Role of the Nurse.
Song: Protrait of Trinidad – Distribution of Awards1960-1979.
1961:- STEEL BAND CLASH- In front of the Colonial Hospital Port of Spain masquerades
sought refuge by literally occupying patient’s beds in several wards and attempting to enter
rooms in the Nursing Hostel. First locally trained nurse appointed Matron Of San Fernando
General Hospital. Nursing Recruitments and Publicity Committee appointed by the Minister of
Health was merged with the Education Committee and renounced Nursing Education and
Recruitment Committee. First examination for mental nurses conducted by Nursing Council of
Trinidad and Tobago. Name of Mental Hospital changed to St. Ann’s Hospital. First ever Public
Services Association march, a senior nurse who took part was threatened with disciplinary
actions.
1964:- First local matrons appointed to Port of Spain and San Fernando Hospitals.
Names of the two major hospitals changed to GENERAL HOSPITAL OF PORT OF SPAIN
AND SAN FERNANDO HOSPITAL RESPECTIVELY.
1966-68:- Dr. Stella Landeau P.A.H.O. representative conducted the first Quantitative &
Quantitative Survey into the needs and resources of nursing. Some of the recommendations led
to the establishment of the Nursing Division, Ministry of Health and the expansion of
Community nursing Services.
1966-69:- BLACK POWER MOVEMENT – BECAME MORE VISIBLE.NURSES WERE
THREATENED BY THIS ORGANISATION’S ACTIVIST DURING THIS PERIOD.
1967:- The six month nurse training programme (CPTS) was discountinued and the three
hospitals re-commenced their individual nursing programmes.
1974:- Institutional Nurses at Port of Spain protested the acceptance of participants for Health
Visitor’s programme. The protesting nurses were warned by Public Service Commission for their
stance.
1976-1978:- Development of First curriculum for General School of Nursing with assistance of
P.A.H.O. Introduction of Nursing Education.
1977:- First local nurse awarded I.C.N.’S 3M International Nursing Fellowship award which
enabled her to pursue post graduate studies leading to a Master’s Degree in Nursing.
Nurses at San Fernando General Hospital, boycotted the hospital’s dining room because of poor
sanitary conditions. During that period nurses were prepared by P.S.A. at their premises and
transported to the hospital in time for serving.
1978:- Declaration of AMA ATA- Health for all by year 2000- focus on Primary Health Care
and two Health Centres were constructed to achieve this goal.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT COMMENCED AT PORT OF SPAIN GENERAL HOSPITAL AND
INTRODUCED AT SAN FERNANDO GENERAL AND ST. ANN’S HOSPITAL SHORTLY
AFTER.
PERIOD 1980-2000
STRENGTHENING THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH TO
NURSING – INTRODUCING QUALITY ASSURANCE AND MANAGEMENT
STRATEGIES IN NURSING.