Catherine M. Hall

Dame Catherine Mary Hall (19 December 1922 – 26 August 1996) was a British nurse and nursing administrator who was a long serving General Secretary of the UK's Royal College of Nursing (1957–1982).

Early life and education Hall was born on 19 December 1922 in Sheffield, England. Her father was the chief constable in Rotherham, which is where she moved when she was still a child. Hall went to school at Hunmanby School for Girls at Filey, Yorkshire and then went on to study nursing at Leeds General Hospital.

Career and achievements Hall knew from the age of 14 that she wanted to be a nurse, but her parents were against this. It was after World War II broke out that she began her career at Birmingham Children's Hospital After this she became ward sister at Leeds General Infirmary where she was the youngest person to fill that role at age 22, later rising to Night Superintendent and Assistant Matron by age 28. Although Hall was opposed to industrial action, The first man to become an RCN member was Albery Verdun Whittamore, chief male nurse at Horton Psychiatric Hospital. Hall's contribution to the RCN was to increase the membership from 30,000 to 200,000.

Key roles included: Assistant Matron, Middlesex Hospital, London (1954–1956). General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing (1957–1982). Member, Commission on Industrial Relations (1971–1974). Member, General Medical Council l (1979–1989). First Chairwoman of UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (1980–1985). Sat on the panel for the World Health Organization.

Awards Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), 1967 New Year Honours. Honours, 1975 – From City University in 'recognition of her outstanding services in maintaining and developing the science, art, status, standards, practice and general recognition of the nursing profession'. Officer Sister of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (1977). Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), 1982 New Year Honours.