- Conference
- 2007 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 25 October 2006
- Decision
- Carried
Conference is pleased to note that UNISON has purchased the site of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital for conversion to its new national office.
Elizabeth Garret Anderson (EGA) 1836-1917 was the first woman to qualify as a doctor in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1865. As universities did not admit women she had a struggle, going to Scotland and various London hospitals to acquire the necessary experience. She established her first outpatient dispensary for women in Marylebone in 1866 and started the New Hospital for Women in 1872. The foundation stone on the present site was laid on 7 May 1889 and the hospital opened in 1890 with 42 beds.
For 20 years she was the only surgeon doing obstetric and gynaecological surgery.
Her vision was for a hospital where women would be treated by women doctors.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (EGA) was a remarkable woman: she had political flair, medical skill, administrative and fundraising ability, honesty, independence of mind and kindness. She set the standard for women doctors and gave women a choice. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson’s work continues to impact on the choices that women have now and she is a woman who should be honoured, not forgotten.
Her contribution to Obstetrics and Gynaecology was not of dramatic scientific breakthrough nor technical innovation but in the delivery of the service. She saw that women wanted women doctors particularly in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She worked against enormous odds to achieve a medical degree and by her example showed generations of women that it was possible. She convinced men that women doctors could be effective and rational.
In 2003, Women for EGA, now EGA for Women, were successful in getting the hospital listed Grade 2 as the building is of special architectural or historical interest. The main historic core of the building is on the south west side.
Though the interior of the building has been altered over time, much of this is superficial and two fireplaces remain in situ and some memorial plaques are preserved in an archive at University College London Hospital. Within the board room there remains a plaque to Gertrude Lorrilard who was a benefactor of the EGA hospital.
The EGA site possesses very considerable historic interest as the country’s first proper hospital for women.
Conference is concerned that these artefacts and the vision of EGA may be lost in the renovations that will necessarily take place to make the building safe and convert this historic hospital into a trade union head office.
A motion was submitted on to the National Delegates Conference 2006 Agenda, Motion 147. The National Executive Council supported the motion. As the motion was not debated due to time constraints, the motion has been remitted to the National Executive Council for action. This motion seeks to ensure that the National Executive Council does not shirk from their responsibility in preserving and cherishing this women’s building.
Therefore, Conference instructs the National Women’s Committee to:
1)work with EGA for Women to retain and cherish the vision of EGA in lobbying the decision-makers;
2)maintain contact with EGA for Women throughout the renovation period and beyond to ensure that the vision is not lost;
3)monitor the progress of the renovation process and bring influence and lobby the National Executive Council members to deliver on their espoused support for Motion 147;
4)invite a member of the EGA for Women to address the National Women’s Conference in 2008;
5)work with EGA for Women to raise awareness amongst our women’s membership and beyond on the crucial role that Elizabeth Garrett Anderson has played in our history;
6)ensure that representatives of EGA for Women are invited to any formal head office opening ceremonies;
7)report back to Conference 2008 on progress.