BREAKING NEWS
Mavis Fabling - a Guy's legend - has sadly died. Her funeral is at 2pm on Weds March 2nd in Southwark Cathedral. More details about Mavis' life and achievements to follow - see Obtuary section
Protect the title Nurse in UK law petition
Petition created by Professor Alison Leary RN
The title nurse can be used by anyone in the UK.
They can use this term to offer professional advice and services even if they have no professional qualification, experience or have been struck off a professional register.
To protect the public, the title nurse should be restricted to those who are registered with professional regulators such as Registered Nurses and Dental Nurses.
This would be the same as titles such as paramedic and physiotherapist, which are limited to those on the professional registers
Anyone can sign the petition as long as they are a British citizen or UK resident.
To sign-
Search for UK Parliament Petitions
Select Open Petitions
Enter Nurse in search box
Closing date 14/12/21
Posted by Maureen Tunney [213.205.242.132] on 16 July 2021
The petition stands at 23,304 signatures to date 22/07/21
At 100,000 signatures it can be considered for debate in parliament.
Patient safety at risk. Please consider adding your support.
Posted by Maureen Tunney [213.205.242.8] on 22 July 2021
edit & publish | delete
PETITION TO SAVE THOMAS GUY'S STATUE
Subject: Petition Professor Edward Byrne: Save Thomas Guy Statue.
https://www.change.org/p/professor-edward-byrne-save-thomas-guy-s-statue
8.7.20 Update on petition: 7020 signatures so far
More signatures needed
Currently there are 6,166 signatures on the Change.org Save Thomas Guy's statue website. Oliver Duke, who started the petition, has said that we need 10.000 and that if everybody contacted 12 more people, we might reach the target. He is looking at getting a lawyer to represent us.
Guy's and St.Thomas' Charity have applied for planning permission to remove the Grade 2 listed statue. People may want o object to this and there isn't much time to do so.
Petition: change.org Save Thomas Guy's statue
Planning application: Southwark Council (under new planning applications): 20/AP/1729
Thank you.
Anne Huggett
Local Councillors support statue:
Dear Mr. O’Brien, (local councillor)
Please read all comments on the petition to save this statue on Change.org. I trained and worked as a nurse for several years at Guy’s Hospital and I know how much it means to all of us who trained there, the people of Bermondsey and Southwark, as well as international patients. We were taught to treat every patient, no matter their creed or colour, as we would a member of our own family, an ethos which has permeated throughout the world. Thomas Guy was not a slave trader and founded the hospital to care for the poor of the area. Please consider carefully
Kind regards
Anne Huggett (Mrs.)
Your three ward councillors are also opposed to the removal of the Thomas Guy statue, no doubt for the same reasons you are. The statue is owned by the Guy’s Charitable Trust and we have had a virtual meeting with representatives of the trust to share our views and thoughts. We hope the current situation is seen as an opportunity to educate people on UK history and not use Thomas Guy as a target for the unacceptable practices of 300 years ago.
Thanks so much for getting in touch.
Damian
Dear Anne,
Many thanks for this. It does sound encouraging! I had contacted the 3 councillors some weeks ago sending the link to the petition ,which they acknowledged, but gave no indication of their views at that stage. Simon Hughes who was the local MP sits on the board of the league of friends at Guy’s and St.Thomas’s as a trustee and I am told he is very supportive of Guy’s as he has been in the past. He is very well known and liked in the area and may have had a word in the councillors ears ( they are all Liberal Democrat’s ! ). So let’s hope they turn the planning application down! Maybe the petition has encouraged them - certainly will have let them know what we all think. I gather from a planning QC who has given me some advice that these decisions are largely political - if they think removing the statue might be a vote loser then they are less likely to let it through ( which might be a vote winner )! Fingers crossed!
Best wishes,
Oliver.
Dear Matthew,
I am writing to object to the proposed removal of Thomas Guy's statue. I trained and worked as a nurse at Guy's for several years. This statue is part of the fabric of everyday life at the hospital and personifies the founder of this wonderful hospital. If the statue were to be removed, it would be very hypocritical of the powers-that-be continued to use the name of this philanthropist and live off the local and international reputation built up by my colleagues over the last 300 years.
Bearing this in mind, you should consider the 7050 people, including local residents who lived their lives from cradle to grave being cared for by Guy's, who have signed the online petition at change.org save Thomas Guy's statue and the potential loss of donations and legacies from at least this number of people, if not more. Thank you.
Kind regards
Anne Huggett
Matthew Gorman is in charge of fundraising, donations and legacies across the Guy's etc. group.
From Eileen Sills
Dear Celia,
Guy’s Hospital and the statue of Thomas Guy
Thank you for getting in touch and sharing your thoughts on this matter.
We have received many comments regarding this issue over the past few weeks, expressing a range of views.
We are in discussion with our partners, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, who own the statues as part of their arts and heritage collection, and our university partner Kings College London about the future of the statues. We are also engaging with the special Commission set up by the Mayor of London to advise on statues in the public realm. While this happens the statues have been removed from public view and we have taken steps to protect them.
Your comments have been noted and please be assured that we are giving due consideration to all of the arguments presented.
Best wishes,
Eileen Sills
Dame Eileen Sills DBE
Chief nurse
8.7.20 Update from Celia Manson Ede
You may have seen my post from mid June about the statue of Thomas Guy. I promised then to provide an update on what is happening.
Thank you to all who have been in touch. It is very helpful as an indicator of peoples views.
On 20th June I wrote to Dame Eileen Sills, chief nurse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, to Guy’s and St Thomas’ charity, and to Kings College London. This letter is set out below.
I have not received a reply to date. However I hope that I will do so sometime this month, and if I do not, I will follow up.
Meanwhile I have discovered that Guy’s and St Thomas’ charity, the owners of the statue, have made a planning application to the London Borough of Southwark to obtain listed building consent for “ the removal ( and temporary storage ) of the Thomas Guy statue located in the courtyard outside Guy’s Hospital “.
This application was made on 23rd June. Its reference number is 20/AP/1729. Details may be viewed on the London Borough of Southwark planning website. There is an opportunity to register an objection.
I know that several petitions are circulating; some demanding that the statue is taken down and that the name Guy’s Campus, Kings College London is changed ( this does not refer to Guy’s Hospital but to the academic centre on this site ), and another with a large number of signatories asking that the statue remain where it is.
Currently the statue remains where it is, but is completely boarded up.
I will post further when I have anything more to report.
My email is. celia.mansonede@btinternet.com
THOMAS GUY UNDER THREAT!
You may have seen the news about various statues being taken down, both here and in the US.
I was concerned to hear that the statue of Thomas Guy may be under threat. I hear that this is because he made his money from the South Sea bubble.
However he used this money to provide a hospital for “ the sick incurables and lunatics “ , needed now as much as ever. His hospital has been loved and valued for almost 300 years, especially by the people of Bermondsey and The Borough.
And his statue is a symbol of inspiration and hope for all past and present students and staff at Guy’s.
Media reports say that Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is reviewing whether or not the statue should be moved.
In my opinion, better to be moved than REMOVED, although I see no good reason why it should not stay where it is.
If moving is required, may I suggest that the statue goes to a place as near to the colonnade as possible, or perhaps in the Park ?
I will try to find out more about what is being proposed and pass on this information.
What do other Guy’s nurses think ? I would love to hear your views. I may be contacted at. celia.mansonede@btinternet.com
Celia's first letter to Eileen Sills
Dear Dame Eileen,
Guy’s Hospital and the statue of Thomas Guy
Please forgive me for bothering you at a time when I realise that you must be even busier than ever; however I write as a fellow nurse.
I would be most grateful if you would pass on this letter to your colleagues at the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, and at King’s College London.
Media reports over the last week state that Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, and the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity along with King’s College London are reviewing whether or not the statue of Thomas Guy in the forecourt of Guy’s Hospital should be moved.
I note that from the end of last week, the statue has been boarded up.
This statue has been in its present position since 1731.
Here it has provided a symbol of inspiration and hope for past and present students and staff at Guy’s.
Thomas Guy ( 1645 – 1724 ) made the bulk of his fortune by investing in government bonds which were later converted into stocks in the government - run South Sea Company. It is possible that Guy was unaware of the South Sea Company’s involvement in the slave trade.
He was elected a governor of St Thomas’ Hospital in 1704, and in 1721, Minutesfrom St Thomas’ record his intention to found and create a hospital for incurables, with further provision for the admission of twenty lunatics.
The hospital foundations were laid in 1722. Thomas Guy died in 1724 and his hospital opened in 1725.
In his will, the balance of his estate, over £220000, was directed to be used for the maintenance of his hospital.
Guy’s Hospital has been loved and valued for almost 300 years, especially by the people of Bermondsey and The Borough. At the present time its services are needed more than ever.
I am proud to be a Guy’s trained nurse. Both Guy’s and St Thomas’ ( where I also worked ) have given me so much.
Both institutions laid the foundations for my later career and for my personal life.
My husband is a Guy’s trained physician, who worked at St Thomas’ for many years, and both our sons were born at St Thomas’.
In my view, better that the Thomas Guy statue is moved, rather than REMOVED, although I see no sound reason why it should not stay where it is.
If moving is required, may I suggest that the statue goes to a position as near to Guy’s Colonnade as possible, or perhaps within the Park at Guy’s ?
With best wishes to all who work and study at Guy’s and St Thomas’,
Yours sincerely,
Celia Manson / Mrs C Ede
11 years on! - POSTPONED TO 10TH JULY 2021
it will be 11 years in 2021 since the last great League celebration. This feels like a landmark worth celebrating. If you are interested please let me know via this website on the guestbook page or by emailing GHNL2010@gmail.com. The date is 10th July 2021
Please also pass this on to all your friends and acquaintences.
10.01.2020
Jean Mary Blower nee Brodie 1950 died 13th December 2019. Funeral at The church of All saints Elton on Monday 6th January 2020. Born 29 th November 1927.
Sally Hudson
September ’69 Set Re-Union
We are celebrating 50 years to the day since we started our training on Friday 13th September 2019. The event will be held at Guy’s Hospital.
For further details please contact Joy Robinson (nee Bowles) on susiecottonsocks@live.com
Jan 2019 - reply to Alison Griffith's message of 2016 re 1987 set - see guestbook page
Cambridge Re-Union Meeting 2019
This year we are celebrating 25 years of Re-Unions held in Cambridge on Thursday 11th April 2019.
For further details please email sarah@nwpenn.net or telephone 01223 842899.
READERS IN SCOTLAND PLEASE SEE MESSAGE FROM JANE GOULD ON GUEST BOOK PAGE
We are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of Alison Russell, the last Chairman of the Guy’s Nurses’ League and Professor Stuart Cameron, CBE, retired Professor of Renal Medicine at Guy’s Hospital. They first met at Guy’s in the early 60s, when Alison wrote the nursing section for a book Stuart was writing on renal medicine. They met again in more recent years and struck up a friendship which has blossomed into marriage.
The marriage will take place in Cambridge on 19th March 2018. If anyone would like to send a card please email me on ghnl2010@gmail.com.
I would like to offer them many congratulations on behalf of all League members
Andie Howard
See re-union page for details of September '68 set re-union
Emily McManus Matron of Guy's Hospital in WW2
I was working at Terrybaun Pottery in Co. Mayo from 1974-1978.
Emily was a neighbor in the Village. I loved spending the occasional evening at her house sipping Sherry in front of her fireplace. She told me she lost the love of her life in WW 1 where she was a nurse in the trenches. Then she became matron of Guys hospital in London in WW2.
A student of hers was Haile Selassie’s daughter. she eventually had to return to Ethopia and marry someone in an arranged marriage. She died in childbirth.
"Old Tom" lived in her house and took care of things. He always sat in the kitchen in front of the stove.
He told me he wished there was a tape recorder to record the stories. I was 24 and didn’t understand how important that was! If I went to town with them I was made to sit in the middle of the
back seat so as not to unbalance the car!
I didn’t realize until later that I was with living history!
Kathy Kershner
See Re-union page for date of 2018 Norfolk/Suffolk re-union group
see Memories section for Trish Rees,nee Adams, article
GUILD OF NURSES
I have recently been made aware of the newly formed Guild Of Nurses, which is the first stage of becoming a City of London Livery Company. It was formed by a small group of Barts nurses, but a close friend who is a Middlesex nurse has just been admitted and highly recommends. Not sure if there are any Guy's nurse members yet. They have a very informative website: https://guildofnurses.co.uk, and lots of interesting activities.
CAVELL NURSES TRUST
We hold the Cavell Awards on 22nd June this year, near Covent Garden. Would league members be interested in attending? It’s a fantastic event (and free). If you think so I could reserve a couple of places?
You can find out more at:
https://www.cavellnursestrust.org/info/scholarship-awards
Guys Hospital Nurses' League
15 February 2017
Dear Sir/Madam,
You may have seen that Nursing Times1 reported a 60% rise in the number of nurses asking Cavell Nurses' Trust for financial help since the summer. In the last few weeks that trend has continued. I'm writing to let you know more about the many ways we could work together.
On the one hand this trend is a great success; we were able to help over 1,900 nurses in 2016.
This means the world to someone like Michelle2, who qualified as a nurse in 2004 and worked on a neonatal ward. One day Michelle was rushed from work to A&E as she could barely walk. Later, Michelle found out she would be a wheelchair user for the rest of her life.
Cavell Nurses' Trust supported the cost of Michelle's wheelchair and even helped fund special modifications which means Michelle is now back at work, caring for families.
“The help I've received from Cavell Nurses' Trust has been life changing, giving me the ability to live and work in the best way I can. I will be forever grateful to them.”
But the team at Cavell Nurses' Trust are concerned by this trend and need Guys Hospital Nurses' League help.
We're writing to nursing leagues and societies across the UK. Having met so many nursing leagues over the years, I know that nursing leagues achieve so much. One vital function is the provision of a caring, supportive social network for those who care for the nation. Of course many nursing leagues give financial support to their members too.
I ask you to consider extending that caring, supportive ethic to the hundreds of additional nurses asking for Cavell Nurses' Trust's help.
Put simply, I ask nurses to be here for nurses.
Below is a letter about the Cavell Nurses Trust from the Patron, Dame Christine Beasley (ex Chief Nurse for England)
Guys Hospital Nurses' League
15 February 2017
Dear Sir/Madam,
You may have seen that Nursing Times1 reported a 60% rise in the number of nurses asking Cavell Nurses' Trust for financial help since the summer. In the last few weeks that trend has continued. I'm writing to let you know more about the many ways we could work together.
On the one hand this trend is a great success; we were able to help over 1,900 nurses in 2016.
This means the world to someone like Michelle2, who qualified as a nurse in 2004 and worked on a neonatal ward. One day Michelle was rushed from work to A&E as she could barely walk. Later, Michelle found out she would be a wheelchair user for the rest of her life.
Cavell Nurses' Trust supported the cost of Michelle's wheelchair and even helped fund special modifications which means Michelle is now back at work, caring for families.
“The help I've received from Cavell Nurses' Trust has been life changing, giving me the ability to live and work in the best way I can. I will be forever grateful to them.”
But the team at Cavell Nurses' Trust are concerned by this trend and need Guys Hospital Nurses' League help.
We're writing to nursing leagues and societies across the UK. Having met so many nursing leagues over the years, I know that nursing leagues achieve so much. One vital function is the provision of a caring, supportive social network for those who care for the nation. Of course many nursing leagues give financial support to their members too.
I ask you to consider extending that caring, supportive ethic to the hundreds of additional nurses asking for Cavell Nurses' Trust's help.
Put simply, I ask nurses to be here for nurses.
Guys Hospital Nurses' League
15 February 2017
Dear Sir/Madam,
You may have seen that Nursing Times1 reported a 60% rise in the number of nurses asking Cavell Nurses' Trust for financial help since the summer. In the last few weeks that trend has continued. I'm writing to let you know more about the many ways we could work together.
On the one hand this trend is a great success; we were able to help over 1,900 nurses in 2016.
This means the world to someone like Michelle2, who qualified as a nurse in 2004 and worked on a neonatal ward. One day Michelle was rushed from work to A&E as she could barely walk. Later, Michelle found out she would be a wheelchair user for the rest of her life.
Cavell Nurses' Trust supported the cost of Michelle's wheelchair and even helped fund special modifications which means Michelle is now back at work, caring for families.
“The help I've received from Cavell Nurses' Trust has been life changing, giving me the ability to live and work in the best way I can. I will be forever grateful to them.”
But the team at Cavell Nurses' Trust are concerned by this trend and need Guys Hospital Nurses' League help.
We're writing to nursing leagues and societies across the UK. Having met so many nursing leagues over the years, I know that nursing leagues achieve so much. One vital function is the provision of a caring, supportive social network for those who care for the nation. Of course many nursing leagues give financial support to their members too.
I ask you to consider extending that caring, supportive ethic to the hundreds of additional nurses asking for Cavell Nurses' Trust's help.
Put simply, I ask nurses to be here for nurses.
We sadly have to report the death of Margaret Stenning nee Downer, of Hayes in Kent, 1954 set.
After retiring Margaret often helped at Ronald McDonald House, supporting the families of sick children. She received a Volunteer's award for this from Southwark which was given at a ceremony in Southwark Cathedral.
There is a memorial service for Margaret on Monday 19th September, at 12noon, in St Mary the Virgin Church in Hayes, Kent.
If anyone knows more about Margaret's life and career please let me know
Andie (Editor)
