60 seconds with Alison Knapp
When did you start at St Bartholomew’s? What was your role?
I started training as a nurse at Barts in May 1965, qualifying and gaining my Barts Badge in 1969
How long did you work at St Bartholomew's for?
After working on the wards, I specialised in nursing within the operating theatres. I was a Staff Nurse, then a Staff Sister and then managed the operating theatres from 1970 until 1985. I then managed surgical services until 1994, which is when Barts and the Royal London merged.
What was the hospital like when you first started
The Queen opened the QE2 block in 1962, just before I started.
During World War 2, Barts was a clearing station for casualties for the Blitz of bombs that landed on the City of London. The services at Barts were all moved out to Hill End - St Albans (previously a pschyciatric hospital), at the beginning of the war.
It took from the end of the war in 1945 until 1962 to get the QE2 block built and the Barts specialist surgical services which had remained at Hill End, back.
The Square, along with the Great Hall, is the jewel in the crown of Barts. It survived the trees being battered to the ground in the storm of 1987 is now a very tranquil place, great for meeting with colleagues or relaxing on a break.
What attracted you to nursing?
Good question! I always knew that I wanted to be a nurse. I don’t know where it started, as neither of my parents worked in healthcare. I just wanted to – and it was a good decision!
Did any significant events happen at Barts when you worked here?
Along with our neighbouring hospitals, we received patients from several Major Incidents – from the Old Bailey bomb to the Moorgate train disaster.
We learned from each incident and I remember a senior surgeon visited each theatre following one of the bomb incidents, to ensure less experienced surgeons who were operating on the victims did not attempt to neatly sew up wounds, as they were blast injuries and needed to be cleaned of all debris and left to gradually granulate and heal. This was a lesson that surgeons had identified in World War 2 and it was important that the new generation of surgeons learned from this and cared for the patients accordingly.
What are some of your proudest achievements from when you worked here?
In 1991, I worked with a consultant Anaesthetist to plan a centralised Day Surgery Unit in the ground floor area of the East Wing. Bringing it all together was a massive achievement. We found a new way of undertaking Day Surgery in a more efficient way.
In 1993, a centralised theatre suite was opened in the old dining rooms in the basement of KGV block. I was a huge team effort to plan and open this theatre suite. It was opened by the patron of Barts - The Duke of Gloucester.
What do you hope for when thinking about the future of St Bartholomew's?
It is clear that Barts is now at the forefront of services for cancer and cardiac patients. Patients and staff are able to enjoy the beautiful new buildings which are so impressive and in keeping with modern health services.
I am so impressed with how the nursing staff at Barts manage the huge changes that have happened over the last few years. I really feel that the current nursing service is responsive and caring. hey respect the past, but ensure that they are ready for the challenges of the future with patient care at the centre.
With these superb new facilities and the high standards of staff, I feel very encouraged about the future.