Emily Margaret Cummins

Emily 'Margaret' Cummins, R.R.C.^[1] (1866-1934) was a nursing leader and was matron of the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, from 1911 until 1924.^[2] In 1924 Cummins arranged what is thought to be the first annual nurses service in England to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.^[3][4] Cummins was involved in the formation and development of professional nursing and the College of Nursing (Now RCN).^[5][6][7]

Emily Margaret Cummins R.R.C.
Born	1866 Lewisham
Alma mater	The London Hospital
Occupation(s)	Matron and nursing leader

Emily Cummins was matron here between 1911-1924

Early life

Cummins was born in Lewisham in 1866.^[8] She was the eldest child of two born to William John Lawrence Cummins, a Major in the army and engineer at Woolwich, and his wife Emily.^[9] Her mother was an innkeeper in 1891, and ran the Royal Oak public house in Milbourn St Andrew, near Blandford in Dorset.^[10] Cummins lived at home until she commenced training aged 28 years old.^[11]

Emily Cummins was matron and present at the laying of the foundation stone for the new nurses home in 1923.

Career

Cummins trained as a nurse at The London Hospital under Eva Luckes between 1895-1897.^[12][11] After Cummins completed her training she worked there as a staff nurse for 15 months.^[13] In 1898 she was recommended as a sister to Anna Baillie, a former Londoner, and the matron of the Royal Infirmary, Bristol. Shortly after moving to Bristol she was appointed Assistant Matron.^[14] Whilst in Bristol she undertook a session as a Lecturer on Nursing for the Merchants Venturers Technical College, Bristol.^[15][14]

In 1903 she was appointed as matron of Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.^[16] She stayed there until 1911 when she was appointed as matron of Liverpool Royal Infirmary.^[17][18][19] Cummins was regarded as being a 'very progressive' matron.^[5] Whilst there she oversaw development of a four year training programme for nurses, new accommodation for nurses, and better recreational facilities for nurses including a tennis court.^[5]

She was first president of the Liverpool College of Nursing Centre, one of the earliest regional centres of the College of Nursing.^[5] She was on the Council of the College of Nursing from 1919-1924.^[5][6] Cummins was also on the committee of the Association of Hospital Matrons.^[6] She was Chairman of the Liverpool and Cheshire groups of the Matrons Association.^[5]

Retirement

Cummins enjoyed the countryside, and when she retired she planned to move to a country cottage.^[5] Cummins died at Teignmouth Hospital on 14 April 1934 from Atrial Fibrillation and a Cerebral Embolism.^[20] Miss Jones, Cummins former assistant matron, and her successor at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, attended Cummins's funeral service which was held at Ringmore Church near Kingsbridge in Devon.^[6] Archdeacon Howson gave the address at her memorial service which was held in the chapel of Liverpool Royal Infirmary the day after her death.^[6]

Honours

Cummins was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1919.^[1][2]