Magee celebrates Florence Nightingale

Ulster's School of Nursing at Magee teamed up with the Florence Nightingale Foundation, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Health and Social Care Trusts to host the three-day event which marked the 100th anniversary of her death.

The conference also examined the future of nursing in modern society and examined key issues such as infection control, hygiene and patient care. It also explored the application of Nightingale's ideas in the 21st century.

An exhibition featuring the Nightingale lamp, personal letters written by the founder of the nursing profession, historical nursing memorabilia from across Ireland and the Magee Visitor's Book, which Nightingale signed on a visit to the then recently opened College in 1867, were on public display.

While the exact reason for Nightingale's visit to Magee remains unknown, Pat Deeny, senior lecturer in nursing at Magee, said: "There is little doubt that Nightingale came here on Friday, May 31, 1867. The quality and authenticity of the signature confirms this. As to why she came remains conjecture. Magee at that time was a architectural showpiece. This alongside plans to educate women placed Magee ahead of its time and Nightingale would have been aware of this.

"Other reasons for her visit could have been her close links with the Lawrence family of Londonderry especially Sir John Lawrence the Viceroy of India or her friendship with fellow nurse pioneer Agnes 'Una' Jones, who came from nearby Fahan, County Donegal. But in short, we simply do not know what brought Nightingale to Derry that year."

Mary Spinks, director of the Florence Nightingale Foundation and a visiting Professor at Ulster's School of Nursing said: "Events have been held all over the world this year to mark the centenary of Nightingale's death. Nurses from across the UK and Ireland will celebrate the life and work of this pioneering nurse at this major conference this weekend. Many of Florence Nightingale's ideas are as relevant today as they were in the 1800s.

"The City of Derry and Magee in particular has poignant links with Florence Nightingale through her protg Agnes Jones. Agnes trained at the Nightingale Training School in St Thomas's Hospital, London and inspired by her mentor, went on to pioneer a trained nursing service in the Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary."