Our History

The League was founded in 1899 by Isla Stewart, who was matron at Barts from 1887–1910 and one of the founding members of the International Council of Nurses. It was the first and is, therefore, the oldest league of nurses in the UK. Today we have over 2,000 members.

In a very early edition of the League News, Isla Stewart expressed her reasons for forming the League. These were:

by union, to encourage the members to maintain a high standard of work and conduct
for mutual help and pleasure
to promote the establishment of a fund for the relief of former nurses of Barts who are in distressed circumstances and need either temporary or permanent help

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Nurse’s Uniforms At Barts – 1940 to 1995

Historically, nurses took real pride in their uniforms and Barts was no exception. It was made clear in the Preliminary Training School (PTS) that uniforms were to be worn ‘in the correct manner’. This was strictly enforced but we also took real pride in wearing our uniforms.

On starting our training, it was made very clear that makeup, nail varnish, wristwatches and jewellery were all forbidden! Black lace-up shoes were to be worn with black stockings, and each day you put on a clean starched white apron. When you started training you were given a knee-length cape, which was black with a red lining and two long red straps to cross over in the front to keep it on. Your name was embroidered on the collar of the cape.

The Uniform

Nurses Cap This was a white and grey striped dress with a stiff belt, the colour of which depended on which year you were in training, a starched white apron and the CAP!The cap started as a flat starched rectangle of cotton material. This square of material had to be magically converted into a nurse’s cap with the aid of safety pins and the use of a round biscuit tin or something similar that was the same size as your head. Pleats were made on each side and somehow two dovetails were pulled through which stood up at the back!

The same style of cap was worn throughout your training and your 4th year upon qualifying.

First Year

Striped dress, with a stiff grey belt. First-year students were referred to as probationer nurses, or Grey Belts.

During the 1980s, nurses on their first ward had a grey belt with a yellow stripe around the centre. Although this was intended to indicate that they were the most junior nurses, it had the effect of making them very conspicuous and earned them the unenviable title of ‘Banana belts’!

Second Year

Striped dress, with a striped belt and so were referred to as a Stripe Belt.

Third Year

Striped dress with a white belt. The nurse was referred to as a White Belt.

Fourth Year

On passing your hospital exams, you wore the coveted belt made of navy Petersham and a silver buckle.

This was your staff nurse year, and you were referred to as staff nurse or The Belt.

It was a tradition for the staff nurses on your ward to buy the Petersham for your belt and give it to you when the results were posted on the board.

Fifth Year

Group of Nurses After your fourth year, the uniform remained the same, but you wore a different cap. This was a short, starched voile cap, which was the short version of a long Sister’s cap.

These nurses were referred to as Fifth Year Caps.

Junior Sister or Senior Staff Nurse in Pink

This role was graded as a senior staff nurse but referred to as junior sister or The Pink. This was because the dress now had stiff collar and cuffs with long sleeves and the material was a very pretty pink colour.

Over time the stiff collars and cuffs were replaced with softer material. The white starched apron was only worn when undertaking ‘hands on’ clinical work – unlike the more junior grades, where the apron was worn at all times. The cap was the same as the 5th Year Cap (short version of a Sister’s cap).

On promotion to this grade, you were referred to as ‘going into pink’. As you were promoted to Pink and more senior grades, you were known as Miss and not Nurse!

Sisters

Sisters The sister was in charge of a ward, outpatient department, operating theatre or had a specific role.

The dress was royal blue, with a stiff collar and cuffs with long sleeves. Over time the stiff collars and cuffs were replaced with softer material. The voile hat was reminiscent of a nun’s habit. Tons of spray starch was used to make it stiff, and as a result, many irons were ruined! The belt was of the same blue material and a silver buckle was worn. The apron was only worn when working clinically when the sister would also roll up her sleeves.

When promoted to sister, it was referred to as ‘going into blue’ and you were referred to by the name of your ward; so the sister of Abernethy Ward was called Sister Abernethy!

Operating Theatres

In the operating theatres, there was no such distinction of colour in the dresses worn, but somehow you knew who was in training, who was in pink and who was in blue, i.e., the sister in charge!

At that time nurses had to put on their full uniform to go from changing room to theatres and then changed again into theatre dresses, etc. They then put it all on again to leave the theatre; on reflection, this was not a good use of time!

In theatres, the dresses were cleaned each day and were totally shapeless. A green cotton square (ultimately a disposable square of something similar to a dishcloth) was wrapped around the head so that all your hair was tucked in.

*information collated by Alison Knapp, Life Vice President