In October 1956, the brand new Group Preliminary Training School (PTS) for nurses was opened bringing together student nurses from Haslemere, the Royal Surrey and St. Luke’s. It was a real turning point in training as it was the first group PTS to be formed in the area, if not the entire country! The new building extended from the Nurses’ Home at St. Luke’s Hospital, and all new student nurses lived there for three months. Prior this, student nurses trained in their hospital’s own PTS only.
Student nurses in the classroom
The Group PTS rest room
Student nurses writing a letter home from her bedroom in the PTS.
Anatomy class
If you trained at the group PTS at St. Luke’s Hospital we’d love to hear from you!
Having just watched a programme on BBC4 about Black Nurses in Britain I saw on the credits St. Luke’s mentioned. I started my training on my 18th Birthday 5th Jan 1970 at St Lukes and was amazed to see the classroom, I remember it so well. I sat at the back and next to the window on the right hand side of the room. I spend a few happy years at Guildford, and have never forgotten St Lukes Warren Road, but am not in touch with any one from my set, although I remember a fair few names. Is there a site to get in touch with those who were there at that time?
So pleased to hear from you, Monica. It was a fascinating TV programme. Hopefully someone from those days will see your comment. You might like to join our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/St-Lukes-Heritage-Project-190032387807022/
Dear Monica,thanks for getting in touch. I am going into the Spike Heritage Centre on Tuesday and will look through our records. I remember that there was a facebook group of ex nurses, some of whom trained at St Luke’s and some from later years who trained at the Guildford School of Nursing. As you may know, we completed our research into the history of the hospital in March 2014 and it is now a small band of volunteers who keep the webpage going but no further research as such, has taken place. We still have the full exhibition of the history of the hospital as part of the regular Spike tour and it is tremendously popular, particularly as so many local people were born there! If you have not visited, it is well worth a trip and if you let me know when you are coming, I can arrange to meet you. If you use my home email, it is quicker to get in touch. janethomson@hotmail.com I will be in touch again soon. Best wishes, Jane