Emily Margaret Cummins
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Emily Margaret Cummins R.R.C. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1866 Lewisham |
| Died | 14 April 1934 (aged 67–68) |
| Alma mater | The London Hospital |
| Occupations | Matron and nursing leader |
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Emily 'Margaret' Cummins, R.R.C.[1] (1866–1934) was a nursing leader and was matron of the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, from 1911 until 1924.[2] In 1924 Cummins arranged what is thought to be the first annual nurses service in England to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.[3][4] Cummins was involved in the formation and development of professional nursing and the College of Nursing (Now RCN).[5][6][7]
Cummins was born in Lewisham in 1866.[8] She was the eldest child of two born to William John Lawrence Cummins, a Major in the army and engineer at Woolwich, and his wife Emily.[9] Her mother was an innkeeper in 1891, and ran the Royal Oak public house in Milbourn St Andrew, near Blandford in Dorset.[10] Cummins lived at home until she commenced training aged 28 years old.[11]
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Career
Cummins trained as a nurse at The London Hospital under Eva Luckes between 1895 and 1897.[12][11] After Cummins completed her training she worked there as a staff nurse for 15 months.[13] In 1898 she was recommended as a sister to Anna Baillie, a former Londoner, and the matron of the Royal Infirmary, Bristol. Shortly after moving to Bristol she was appointed Assistant Matron.[14] Whilst in Bristol she undertook a session as a lecturer on Nursing for the Merchants Venturers Technical College, Bristol.[15][14]
In 1903 she was appointed as matron of Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.[16] She stayed there until 1911 when she was appointed as matron of Liverpool Royal Infirmary.[17][18][19] Cummins was regarded as being a 'very progressive' matron.[5] Whilst there she oversaw development of a four-year training programme for nurses, new accommodation for nurses, and better recreational facilities for nurses including a tennis court.[5]
She was first president of the Liverpool College of Nursing Centre, one of the earliest regional centres of the College of Nursing.[5] She was on the Council of the College of Nursing from 1919 to 1924.[5][6] Cummins was also on the committee of the Association of Hospital Matrons.[6] She was Chairman of the Liverpool and Cheshire groups of the Matrons Association.[5]