As matron, Miss Birkin’s responsibilities at the 12 bedded hospital encompassed overseeing patient care, managing the nursing and ancillary staff alongside management of the hospital at operational level. Scrutiny of her role, derived from her monthly reports to the Board of Governors, reveals her daily activities were commensurate with what was expected from a lead nurse in the era concerned. For example, domestic duties included daily inspection of the hospital to ensure desired standards of cleanliness had been met and on one occasion in the absence of the cook, matron was required to prepare patient meals. 

During her time at WCJIH she demonstrated what we would now consider to be evidence-based practice. She illustrated this by questioning the utility of the equipment used for the disinfection of laundry. By contacting previous colleagues and manufacturers she constructed a case to support her request for a steam disinfector which was compliant with the latest recommendations for disinfection; the Board of Governors upheld her recommendation.

Matron Birkin’s clinical role also included preparation of the hospital ambulance, collecting, and transporting a patient to the hospital. One of her monthly reports provides a graphic account of transporting a young boy aged 7 critically ill with diphtheria, from his home to hospital. On admission the child required a tracheostomy with which she assisted, however, the report concludes that despite doing all the possible treatment the child died five hours after admission. 

In relation to her responsibilities and welfare concerns for the nursing staff matron Birkin realised staff morale was important. Staff were then required to live-in at the hospital, but due to the risk of infection, not permitted to receive visitors, be they family or friends, so she recognised in-house relaxation would be welcome. She successfully petitioned the Board of Governors to provide the staff with a piano for the nurses’ residence. 

The archive material confirms matron Birkin’s management of the hospital earned her high praise from hospital governors, the medical team, and the respect of colleagues. In August 1907 matron Birkin resigned her post, and returned to Solihull Infirmary as matron. During her time at WCJIH, written commentary indicates her practice had been carried out with skill, compassion, fortitude, and resilience.

For images of the Wallingford and Crowmarsh Joint Isolation Hospital see: Heralding the Past: When Wallingford's hospital was blown up by lightning.