Vera Froud a Life in Nursing
Originally written in 2016
Vera Froud RN was a ward sister here in Bath.
Starting her training in 1954, Vera qualified as a State Enrolled Nurse (SEN), she then embarked upon the career ladder, eventually becoming a sister on Ward 22 at St Martin’s in Bath. Vera told me about the early days of the NHS, a lot of the time the nurses had to work overtime and had no choice in this matter, and didn’t get any extra pay, and as shift’s then lasted 12 hours, any extra hours was draining.
She went on to discuss with me about why she wanted in nursing, she explained that career choices for women where very limited those days, teaching didn’t appeal to her so she trained to become a nurse.
One thing that struck her was the way nurses get trained today days. In her days much of the training happened on the wards, whilst these days you’re shipped off to a university and have placements at a hospital.
Vera explained that whilst the nurses of today have the knowledge when they are fresh out of university they sometimes don’t understand basic care.
Our discussion then turned to junior doctors, (This being written originally during the 2016 junior doctor’s strikes), she told me that whilst she supports the cause, she doesn’t agree with the strike action, adding “could they find another way?” I could never strike.
Another concern is the impact privatisation could have on the NHS. She explained that it would be really bad if we became like America. If only the rich could afford good health care, it would be terrible.
Imagine being denied care because you have the wrong insurance, or hadn’t paid the right people.
“Let’s support and be proud of our National Health Service.”
“Whilst I don’t want privatisation, I don’t object to it. If I could afford to have a Hip done privately I would,” she admits.
When I told her of the registration fee of £120 per year, she was socked. She told me that she couldn’t remember the cost in 1954, or even if she had paid. Talk then turned to her faith, she said that her religion defiantly helped and that she really valued her pray times.
When I mentioned the words Holby City and Casualty she laughed. She explained that she didn’t really watch them and they weren’t that realistic, saying that ‘I never fell in love with a doctor”. But she did say that Jennifer Worth’s Call The Midwife did portray the health service well.
She recalled that whilst training in Portsmouth, she went with a midwife, she recalled the building not being very nice, and a lot of children in a room. It’s very eye-opening Call The Midwife.
I finished our discussion by asking her if she would return to nursing for a day. She explained that bits of her said yes, and bits said no. She joked that she needs to be much younger, but I’d like to think I will still be able to provide great care.