Armful of Babies and a Cup of Tea: Memoirs of a 1950s NHS Health Visitor

For fans of Call the Midwife: a warm-hearted memoir of a young district health visitor in the Midlands in the early years of the NHS, from the 1940s to the 1970s.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 26 July 2018
Publisher: John Murray Press

After her service as a nurse in World War II, Molly Corbally joined the newly established National Health Service (NHS) and became one of the first official District Health Visitors. She was assigned to a picturesque village near Coventry, where she would spend the rest of her career attending to mothers and babies from all walks of life. Social work was a relatively new field at the time, and Britain was still recovering from the devastating effects of the war. TB, polio, measles, and whooping cough were just some of the hazards that new babies faced. Moreover, social conditions in postwar Britain were often challenging, with poverty and alcoholism being widespread.

Armed with her nursing training, her common sense, and a strong desire to serve, Molly set out to win over the community and provide a valuable service in times of great change. The challenges she faced were numerous, but she was determined to overcome them. As she worked tirelessly to build relationships with the local families, she encountered a wide range of situations and problems. There were women who had been trying to conceive for years, and others who had recently given birth to premature or sick babies. Molly provided support and guidance to all of them, offering her expertise and compassion.

Despite the challenges, there were also moments of joy and laughter. Molly recalled the woman who had finally conceived after fifteen years of trying, and the woman who thought that using marmalade as nappy cream would be a good idea because the hospital had never taken the label off the jar they were using to store it. These stories highlighted the resilience and humor of the people she worked with, and they reminded Molly of the importance of maintaining a sense of humor in difficult circumstances.

An Armful of Babies is a touching and warm-hearted memoir that provides a vivid portrait of rural England in the post-war years. It is a testament to the NHS in its infancy and a celebration of the nurses and midwives who tirelessly cared for the families in their communities. Their tireless efforts saved lives, and their contributions were essential to the development of the healthcare system in Britain.

In today's world, where healthcare systems are facing unprecedented challenges, the work of nurses and midwives is more important than ever. They are the frontline workers who provide care to patients of all ages and backgrounds, and they often work under challenging conditions. They deserve our respect, admiration, and support.

As we reflect on the past and the contributions of those who came before us, we should be grateful for the nurses and midwives who have paved the way for modern healthcare. Their dedication, compassion, and hard work have made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families, and they continue to be an invaluable asset to our society.

In conclusion, An Armful of Babies is a must-read for anyone who loves memoirs, history, or the healthcare profession. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit

After her service as a nurse in World War II, Molly Corbally joined the newly established National Health Service (NHS) and became one of the first official District Health Visitors. She was assigned to a picturesque village near Coventry, where she would spend the rest of her career attending to mothers and babies from all walks of life. Social work was a relatively new field at the time, and Britain was still recovering from the devastating effects of the war. TB, polio, measles, and whooping cough were just some of the hazards that new babies faced. Moreover, social conditions in postwar Britain were often challenging, with poverty and alcoholism being widespread.

Armed with her nursing training, her common sense, and a strong desire to serve, Molly set out to win over the community and provide a valuable service in times of great change. The challenges she faced were numerous, but she was determined to overcome them. As she worked tirelessly to build relationships with the local families, she encountered a wide range of situations and problems. There were women who had been trying to conceive for years, and others who had recently given birth to premature or sick babies. Molly provided support and guidance to all of them, offering her expertise and compassion.

Despite the challenges, there were also moments of joy and laughter. Molly recalled the woman who had finally conceived after fifteen years of trying, and the woman who thought that using marmalade as nappy cream would be a good idea because the hospital had never taken the label off the jar they were using to store it. These stories highlighted the resilience and humor of the people she worked with, and they reminded Molly of the importance of maintaining a sense of humor in difficult circumstances.

An Armful of Babies is a touching and warm-hearted memoir that provides a vivid portrait of rural England in the post-war years. It is a testament to the NHS in its infancy and a celebration of the nurses and midwives who tirelessly cared for the families in their communities. Their tireless efforts saved lives, and their contributions were essential to the development of the healthcare system in Britain.

In today's world, where healthcare systems are facing unprecedented challenges, the work of nurses and midwives is more important than ever. They are the frontline workers who provide care to patients of all ages and backgrounds, and they often work under challenging conditions. They deserve our respect, admiration, and support.

As we reflect on the past and the contributions of those who came before us, we should be grateful for the nurses and midwives who have paved the way. Their dedication, compassion, and hard work have made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families, and they continue to be an invaluable asset to our society.

In conclusion, An Armful of Babies is a must-read for anyone who loves memoirs, history, or the healthcare profession. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit

After her service as a nurse in World War II, Molly Corbally joined the newly established National Health Service (NHS) and became one of the first official District Health Visitors. She was assigned to a picturesque village near Coventry, where she would spend the rest of her career attending to mothers and babies from all walks of life. Social work was a relatively new field at the time, and Britain was still recovering from the devastating effects of the war. TB, polio, measles, and whooping cough were just some of the hazards that new babies faced. Moreover, social conditions in postwar Britain were often challenging, with poverty and alcoholism being widespread.

Armed with her nursing training, her common sense, and a strong desire to serve, Molly set out to win over the community and provide a valuable service in times of great change. The challenges she faced were numerous, but she was determined to overcome them. As she worked tirelessly to build relationships with the local families, she encountered a wide range of situations and problems. There were women who had been trying to conceive for years, and others who had recently given birth to premature or sick babies. Molly provided support and guidance to all of them, offering her expertise and compassion.

Despite the challenges, there were also moments of joy and laughter. Molly recalled the woman who had finally conceived after fifteen years of trying, and the woman who thought that using marmalade as nappy cream would be a good idea because the hospital had never taken the label off the jar they were using to store it. These stories highlighted the resilience and humor of the people she worked with, and they reminded Molly of the importance of maintaining a sense of humor in difficult circumstances.

An Armful of Babies is a touching and warm-hearted memoir that provides a vivid portrait of rural England in the post-war years. It is a testament to the NHS in its infancy and a celebration of the nurses and midwives who tirelessly cared for the families in their communities. Their tireless efforts saved lives, and their contributions were essential to the development of the healthcare system in Britain.

In today's world, where healthcare systems are facing unprecedented challenges, the work of nurses and midwives is more important than ever. They are the frontline workers who provide care to patients of all ages and backgrounds, and they often work under challenging conditions. They deserve our respect, admiration, and support.

As we reflect on the past and the contributions of those who came before us, we should be grateful for the nurses and midwives who have paved the way. Their dedication, compassion, and hard work have made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families, and they continue to be an invaluable asset to our society.

In conclusion, An Armful of Babies is a must-read for anyone who loves memoirs, history, or the healthcare profession. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 198 x 140 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781473671492