Dorothy Smith

Dorothy Madge Smith CBE (14 August 1895 – 5 January 1991) was an influential nursing leader and matron of two large voluntary hospitals in London: firstly the Middlesex Hospital, and secondly Guys hospital. She was Chairman of the General Nursing Council (GNC).

Early life Smith was the fifth child of ten born into a farming family in Swaffham, Norfolk, England. During the Second World War the Middlesex Hospital, which was in central London, was hit by bombs and Smith remained on duty day and night. The GNC was the professional body which regulated mandatory nurse training, examinations and registration. During her 11-year tenure Smith only missed one meeting out of 134. She retired in 1955.

Smith remained as Matron of the Middlesex until 1946 when she was asked to return to Guy's Hospital as Matron, taking over from Emily MacManus. She was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1953 Coronation Honours in recognition of her work as chairman of the General Nursing Council for England and Wales, and matron of Guy's Hospital.

Retirement and death Smith retired in 1953, and enjoyed 35 years of retirement. Her memorial stone is in the Fitzrovia Chapel, formerly the chapel for the Middlesex Hospital.