The Marjory Warren Geriatric Unit, Brisbane

Collection of twenty-four 165 x 122 mm black and white prints and 18 35 mm coloured slides. Dr Majory Warren, C.B.E. (1898-1960) consultant Physician at the West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth, was a pioneer in the treatment of elderly patients. Her work was recognised when she was created C.B.E. in the New Years Honours of 1960, but she was killed in a car crash in France on 5th September of the same year. The Marjory Warren Geriatric Unit, attached to the Royal Brisbane Hospital, was opened in her memory on 17th May 1963. These photographs were sent to her sister Enid Warren on 31st July 1963; their original numbering (shown in brackets in the typescript list which is held at the Cambridge University Library) was somewhat complicated. A covering letter, from A. Fryberg, of the Department of Health and Home Affairs, Brisbane, described the collection in outline. N.B. The numbers have been amended to correspond to the typescript list:

"I would suggest you take them to a table and place the photos 2-6 and 21-22 in a line and 7-20 outwards from 5. 21-24 show the male ward consisting of 50 beds. 5 shows the main entrance to which the male and female wards are attached and 2-3 show the female ward of 52 beds. I think you will get a good picture of the front by putting 2, 4 and 21 together. 7-9 show the entrance. You go in the opening of 5 and turn left up the ramp to the platform which takes you to the various doctors' offices. This is well seen by putting 7, 8 and 9 side by side. A door opens off the platform and the corridor leads to 10-12 the day hospital, 13 the tea and conference room for the staff, 14-17 occupational therapy showing the general view, and woodwork and kitchen, and 18-20 physiotherapy and the gym... I hope you are happy with the Unit as we are. I consider it to be one of the best Geriatric Units in the world, firstly because it is attached to a general hospital, and secondly it has everything on the spot. Both Peter Livingstone and my only regret is that poor Marjory is not here to see it. We feel it is a fitting memorial to her and her work."

Presented to the Royal Commonwealth Society by Mrs CL Somers-Smith (Marjory Warren's youngest sister) in January 1981.

Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, The Marjory Warren Geriatric Unit, Brisbane, Y3085V

Indexed

This collection level description was entered by WS using information from the original typescript catalogue.