Maura O’Connell: Orthopaedic Hospital, Working Life, Healthcare
Title
Maura O’Connell: Orthopaedic Hospital, Working Life, Healthcare
Subject
Ireland; Cork; Gurranabraher; Healthcare; Occupational Lore:
Description
Maura was matron of the Orthopaedic Hospital for 20 years until her retirement in 1997. In this interview Maura recalls the various roles she had in the hospital prior to her being appointed matron.
Maura recalls that the nurses residents on the grounds of the hospital and comment that it was very upmarket for its day.
Maura then talks about the first hip operation that took place in the hospital, that of a young woman who was 'delighted to be able to wear Cuban heeled shoes'.
She then focuses on her time as matron, where she was responsible for around 200 nursing staff. Maura thinks she would hate working today due to inadequate staffing numbers.
Maura than reminisces about past patients, like the children who were severely disabled from contracting Polio.
She also mentions the likes of Joe Mac and The Dixies coming in on Christmas day to to entertain the staff and patients.
Maura then describes the layout of the hospital and the campus.
Maura recalls that the nurses residents on the grounds of the hospital and comment that it was very upmarket for its day.
Maura then talks about the first hip operation that took place in the hospital, that of a young woman who was 'delighted to be able to wear Cuban heeled shoes'.
She then focuses on her time as matron, where she was responsible for around 200 nursing staff. Maura thinks she would hate working today due to inadequate staffing numbers.
Maura than reminisces about past patients, like the children who were severely disabled from contracting Polio.
She also mentions the likes of Joe Mac and The Dixies coming in on Christmas day to to entertain the staff and patients.
Maura then describes the layout of the hospital and the campus.
Date
6 June 2017
Identifier
CFP_SR00626_oconnell_2017
Coverage
Cork, Ireland, 1960s-1990s
Relation
CFP_SR00618_Dempsey_2017; CFP_SR00622_McNamara_2017; CFP_SR00625_McShane_2017;
CFP_SR00628_Osullivan_2017; CFP_SR00632_Curtin_2017; CFP_SR00633_Sargent_2018; CFP_SR00648_Fitzgerald_2018; CFP_SR000673_Twomey_2018;
CFP_SR00628_Osullivan_2017; CFP_SR00632_Curtin_2017; CFP_SR00633_Sargent_2018; CFP_SR00648_Fitzgerald_2018; CFP_SR000673_Twomey_2018;
Published Material:
MacConmara, Tomás for the Cork Folklore Project (2018) The Ministry of Healing, St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital Cork: An Oral and Historical Record. Cork: Health Service Executive.
Source
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Rights
Cork Folklore Project
Language
English
Type
Sound
Format
1 .wav File
Citation
Cork Folklore Project , “Maura O’Connell: Orthopaedic Hospital, Working Life, Healthcare,” accessed September 19, 2024, https://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/159.