Harriett Cassells

Harriett Cassells SRN FRCN (née Thompson; 1926 – 24 November 2017) was a nurse from Northern Ireland recognised for her contributions to fever nursing and infection control.

Early life and education Cassells was born in 1926 near Lifford in County Donegal, Ireland. Her father was gassed in World War I and in about 1940 developed a respiratory illness. Cassells helped to look after him and stated later in interview this made her this made her think about nursing.

Nursing career

Cassells began her nursing career on 19 October 1943 at the Purdysburn Fever Hospital Belfast, where she qualified as a registered Fever Nurse in 1946. She then transferred to Belfast City Hospital and completed her General Training, qualifying as a State Registered Nurse in 1949. After qualifying, she worked for nearly a year in the operating theatre department of Belfast City Hospital.

Personal life She was married to Joe Cassells in 1951 and was mother of Andrew, John and Joseph. Cassells died on 24 November 2017 at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast after a short illness. The Fellowship was granted to her when a ward sister at Belvoir Park Hospital, Belfast. She is acknowledged as having made a significant contribution to the development of infection control and services for parents and children at ward level. In 2009, she was selected to be interviewed for an oral history for the Royal College of Nursing archives.