Phyllis Friend
Encyclopedia
Dame Phyllis Friend, DBE, FRCN
(born 28 September 1922) is a British nursing officer.
She spent a great deal of her professional career at the Royal London Hospital
where she received her basic nursing education (circa 1943) and undertook Part I Midwifery
Training. She held the posts of ward sister, nurse tutor (1948) and Assistant Matron at ‘The London’ (1954) before becoming deputy matron at St. George’s Hospital, London in 1956. In 1959 she returned to the London Hospital as Matron Designate, in 1961 she became matron and 1969 she was appointed Chief Nursing Officer of the London Hospital Group.
In 1964, the Royal London was the first to install its own computer system; Dame Phyllis was heavily involved in this ground breaking development. She later became the chief nursing officer at the Department of Health and Social Security, London, a post she held until she retired in 1982. In this position she extended the nursing influence at government level and demonstrated deep concern for the advancement of nursing and high standards of care.
For her services to nursing she was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1972 and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1980.
She was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing
in 1980.
Royal College of Nursing
The Royal College of Nursing is a union membership organisation with over 395,000 members in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1916, receiving its Royal Charter in 1928, Queen Elizabeth II is the patron...
(born 28 September 1922) is a British nursing officer.
She spent a great deal of her professional career at the Royal London Hospital
Royal London Hospital
The Royal London Hospital was founded in September 1740 and was originally named The London Infirmary. The name changed to The London Hospital in 1748 and then to The Royal London Hospital on its 250th anniversary in 1990. The first patients were treated at a house in Featherstone Street,...
where she received her basic nursing education (circa 1943) and undertook Part I Midwifery
Midwifery
Midwifery is a health care profession in which providers offer care to childbearing women during pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the postpartum period. They also help care for the newborn and assist the mother with breastfeeding....
Training. She held the posts of ward sister, nurse tutor (1948) and Assistant Matron at ‘The London’ (1954) before becoming deputy matron at St. George’s Hospital, London in 1956. In 1959 she returned to the London Hospital as Matron Designate, in 1961 she became matron and 1969 she was appointed Chief Nursing Officer of the London Hospital Group.
In 1964, the Royal London was the first to install its own computer system; Dame Phyllis was heavily involved in this ground breaking development. She later became the chief nursing officer at the Department of Health and Social Security, London, a post she held until she retired in 1982. In this position she extended the nursing influence at government level and demonstrated deep concern for the advancement of nursing and high standards of care.
For her services to nursing she was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1972 and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1980.
She was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing
Royal College of Nursing
The Royal College of Nursing is a union membership organisation with over 395,000 members in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1916, receiving its Royal Charter in 1928, Queen Elizabeth II is the patron...
in 1980.