Elizabeth Dodds

Elizabeth Dodds RRC (31 May 1872 – 25 November 1944) was a nursing leader and matron who ran Bethnal Green military hospita l during the First World War. She was an active participant in the professionalisation of nursing.

Early life Dodds was the fourth child of at least seven born to her father Jackson Dodds, a tax inspector and his wife Maria. Dodds was born in Dumfermline in Fife, Scotland, but by the time she was eight years old the family were living in Hornsey, Middlesex. Shortly after her appointment as matron of Bethnal Green Hospital, Dodds established the Bethnal Green Nurses League in 1905.

Dodds was an early registrant on the nursing register, committee member of the Poor Law infirmary Matron's Association and the National Council of Nurses for Great Britain. She was President of the County and County Borough Matron's Association for many years, and was also a Home office visitor to Holloway Prison. She held firm views that untrained nurses should not be admitted to the newly created Register of Nurses.

Retirement Dodds retired in 1934 after 31 years as matron of Bethnal Green Hospital. In 1939 she started to teach home nursing and first aid skills for the British Red Cross Society, and was selected as Lady Superintendent, Middlesex 272, the BRC County branch for Middlesex. When the Second World War started she was put in charge Keble House First Aid Post.

Dodds died in Winchmore Hill, Middlesex on 25 November 1944.