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Ross, Euphemia

It is with deep regret that we record the death of Miss Euphemia Ross, S.R.N., late Matron of the Western Fever Hospital, Fulham, under the Metropolitan Asylums Boards. Straight, true, courageous, loyal to her friends, and with a deep sense of professional responsibility, Miss Ross is an irreparable loss, and one of the decreasing body of pioneers, who, by personal service and generous financial support of the movement for the State Registration of Nurses, helped to secure the passing of the Acts for the State Registration of Nurses. Her record of work in this connection is highly honourable.

Miss Euphemia Ross was the youngest daughter of the Rev. Wm. Ross, Minister of Embleton, Northumberland. She was born at The Manse, Embleton on December 20th, 1857. As she was very fond of children and showed some aptitude for nursing, she entered the Liverpool Royal Infirmary in January, 1880, as probationer nurse, and after completing her training, remained on as ward sister for a short time. From 1885 to 1889 she was successively Matron of the Fever Hospitals of Warrington and Monsall. In 1889 she was appointed Matron of the Western Fever Hospital, Fulham, where she remained until she retired on December 3rd, 1921. During the whole of her nursing career, extending over nearly 42 years, Miss Ross was never for a single day without an appointment.

Miss Ross was one of the pioneers and took an early and enthusiastic interest in the Royal British Nurses Association, which she helped to found; and she gave both personal and financial support to the movement, standing steadfastly for the principles for which it was founded through stress and storm. She was also a member of the Matrons' Council of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Society for the State Registration of Nurses, and was a very regular attendant at the meetings of the Council, at which her clear judgment was of the utmost value. During the time she was Matron of the Western Hospital she took a keen interest in the social side of her nurses' lives and was largely instrumental in organizing the tennis club and hockey teams, and encouraging competition in games with clubs from other hospitals.

On her retirement Miss Ross took up gardening as a hobby and also speedily became much interested in the social life of Onslow Village, Guildford, where she soon made many friends. Miss Ross was apparently in her usual health when she rose on the morning of March 4th, but at 8.45 a.m. she complained of feeling ill and faint. The doctor was sent for and diagnosed cerebral haemorrhage and after only eight hours' illness she passed away at 5 p.m.; her death after so short an illness came as a great shock to all friends far and near.
The interment took place on March 7th in Guildford New Cemetery and the funeral was attended by Miss Ross (sister), Miss Paterson (cousin), and the following friends: Miss Addison, Mr. and Miss Kewley, Miss Villiers, Miss Ambler Jones and Miss Gooding (Matrons of the M.A.B. Hospitals), Dr. R.M. Bruce (Medical Superintendent of the Western Hospital), Miss Cameron, Miss O'Leary, Mrs Lyon, Dr. and Mrs. Goffee, Mr. and Mrs. Barber, and many other friends.

Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the nursing and domestic staffs of the Western Hospital, the Matrons of the M.A.B. Hospitals, the Matrons' Council of Great Britain and Ireland, Dr. R.M. Bruce, Dr. Foord Caiger, and many private friends. The death of Euphemia Ross leaves our profession the poorer by the passing of a liberal-minded, courageous woman, whom The British Journal of Nursing, the policy of which she ardently supported, sincerely deplores.

Biographical

Registration number748
SurnameRoss
First name(s)Euphemia
Address(es)

Western Fever Hospital, Fulham, S.W.

Date of registration28 March 1890
Qualifications

Royal Infirmary, Liverpool, 1880-85
Warrington Fever Hospital (Matron), 1885-87
Monsall Fever Hospital (Matron), 1887-89
Western Fever Hospital (Matron), 1889-90

Remarks

Deceased

Personal details

Date of birth20/12/1857
Place of birthEmbleton, Northumberland
Family details

She was the youngest daughter of the Rev. Wm. Ross, Minister of Embleton, Northumberland

Date of death1924
Place of deathGuildford
Additional personal details

The Ross Cup was set up in 1935 in honour of the Miss Euphemia Ross, who took an interest in the social side of nurses' lives and set up and organised games of tennis and hockey in which teams were formed and competed

Professional details

Professional activities

RBNA

Additional professional details

Miss Euphemia Ross was one of the early members of the RBNA, and took an active part in the protests about its mismanagement. She also took an active part in the setting up of the Matrons' Council, and the objects of the Society, as well as the State Registration of Nurses. The esteem in which she was held, and the active part she took in her profession is shown in the journal listed in Sources

Sources

The Nursing Record & Hospital World, Vol.12, 2nd June 1894, p.359; Vol.13, 21st July 1894, p.50
The Nursing Record, Vol.3, 7 November 1889, p.264
The British Journal of Nursing, Vol.19, 10th July 1897, p.23
The Nursing Record and Hospital World, Vol.28, 15th March 1902, p.206
The British Journal of Nursing:
Vol.39, 2nd November 1907, p.349
Vol.64, 7th February 1920, p.78
Vol. 67, 24th September 1921, p.197
Vol.67, 10th December 1921, p.23
Vol.72, April 1924, p.89
Vol.83, September 1935, p.234

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