When Warrnambool’s Base Hospital built its new intensive care wing in 1971, 21-year-old Lorraine Mahney was the first nurse to work within its corridors.
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The fresh-faced ‘sister in charge’ from Caramut had thought the equipment was very high-tech and her $24 pay cheque adequate for a fortnight’s work.
On Saturday Lorraine, now Mrs Rundell, will join four of her former nursing colleagues at a 50-year reunion of Warrnambool nursing graduates.
The quintet are part of a group of nine who began their nursing careers at the city’s medical hub in 1968.
The weekend event is expected to spark many memories as they tour the new South West Oncology Unit before sharing a meal.
“I’m sure there’ll be lots of reminiscing of our training days,” Mrs Rundell said.
As well as computer technology, hospital structure, nursing practices and follow up treatment plans, Mrs Rundle said her profession had undergone many dramatic changes.
“The greatest change is the length of time patients spend in hospital following surgery. The general trend now is get up, get moving and go home as quickly as possible,” she said. “Patients are not fussed over by nurses doing back washes and heel rubs and massages. Lifting machines and special baths have taken over in this field.”
The greatest change in nursing she said was in the midwifery field.
“Confinement in hospital for a first-time mother is now an average of three days,” she said. “Forty years ago it was 10 to fourteen days.
“The time spent in hospital was a time for a long-earned rest and recovery after giving birth. Visitors could be seen crooning at the babies through the nursery window.
“There was no such thing as fathers being present at the birth and gone are the days of the fluffy slippers and new dressing gowns for the event.
“I can remember a time when we gave mothers heroin and valium during a difficult birth.”
After more than 50 years in and out of the hospital environment, Mrs Rundell said the walk through the wards on the weekend would be nostalgic.
“I still love the hospital environment,” she said.