Along with 38 women volunteer nurses whom she trained
They were sent to the Ottoman Empire, where the Crimean War was raging.
The conditions in the military hospitals were appalling, with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and a lack of basic supplies. As a result, the death rate among wounded soldiers was extremely high.
Florence Nightingale
Nightingale immediately set to work improving the conditions in the hospitals. She implemented strict hygiene measures, ensured that the wounded were properly fed and cared for, and provided them with emotional support. As a result of her efforts, the death rate among wounded soldiers plummeted from 40% to 2%.
In addition to her work in the hospitals, Nightingale also campaigned for improved sanitary conditions throughout the British army. She collected data on the causes of disease and mortality among soldiers, and used this data to persuade the government to make changes. As a result of her efforts, the British army implemented a number of reforms that led to a significant reduction in the number of soldiers who died from preventable diseases.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
In the midst of the Crimean War and Florence Nightingale’s transformative work, another remarkable figure made a significant contribution.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, known for his groundbreaking engineering feats (Read Adam’s Blog on the Brunels here), played a crucial role in improving healthcare facilities for the wounded soldiers.
In February 1855, Brunel was invited to design a pre-fabricated hospital for use in the Crimea that could be built in Britain and shipped out for speedy erection at a still-to-be-chosen site.
Brunel initially designed a unit ward to house 50 patients, 90 feet (27 m) long by 40 feet (12 m) wide, divided into two hospital wards. The design incorporated the necessities of hygiene: access to sanitation, ventilation, drainage, and even rudimentary temperature controls. These were then integrated within a 1,000-patient hospital layout, using 60 of the unit wards.
The design took Brunel six days to complete.
This innovative approach to hospital construction allowed for swift assembly, providing much-needed relief for the wounded. The Renkioi Hospital, named after its benefactor, the wealthy merchant Suleiman Pasha Renkioi, was a symbol of collaboration between engineering and healthcare, ensuring that injured soldiers received the care they desperately needed.
The Lady with the Lamp
Nightingale’s work in Crimea made her a national hero.
One of the most enduring images associated with Florence Nightingale is that of “The Lady with the Lamp.”
This nickname was bestowed upon her because she would make rounds at night with a lamp in her hand, checking on the patients and offering comfort.
But actually, the lamp in question looked more like that:
She was also known as “The Angel of the Crimea” for her heroic service. She received letters of gratitude and admiration from soldiers and their families, as well as public donations and recognition.
Legacy in London
After the war, Nightingale returned to London (in 1856) and continued her campaign for better health care. She used her influence and the funds raised for her to establish the first professional school of nursing at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1860, which later became a model for nursing education. Today, it is known as the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care at King’s College London, continuing her tradition of excellence in nursing education.
Florence Nightingale’s impact in London is still visible today.
Buildings and Blue Plaques
Several buildings and blue plaques in London commemorate Florence Nightingale’s contributions to healthcare. These include:
- St. Thomas’ Hospital, where Nightingale worked, proudly displays a plaque in her honor.
- The Florence Nightingale Museum, located near St. Thomas’ Hospital, showcases her life and contributions to nursing.
- Her former residence at 10 South Street in Mayfair, where she lived from 1865 until her death in 1910, also boasts a blue plaque.
- The Royal London Hospital, too, has a blue plaque, serving as a tribute to her remarkable legacy.
- The statue by Arthur George Walker on Waterloo Place, St James’s
Helene
