Theodora Turner

Theodora Turner (5 August 1907 – 24 August 1999) was a British nurse and hospital matron.

Early years and education Theodora Turner was born on 5 August 1907 in Congleton, Cheshire, one of five children. Her father later became Conservative Party agent in Salisbury where she attended the Godolphin School, Salisbury.

Her parents initially sent her to study at Atholl Crescent, the Edinburgh School of Domestic Science but Turner wished to become a nurse and, with her parents consent, entered St Thomas' Hospital and the Nightingale School of Nursing in the summer of 1929. She took her midwifery training at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, then returned to St Thomas' Hospital as a ward nursing sister. She completed the International Council of Nurses' course for nurse administrators at Bedford College in 1939.

Second World War When war broke out in 1939 Turner joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QARANC), was mobilised at Congleton. In 1942 she was posted to the 56th Division and served in Iran, Egypt and Tripoli. Turner was awarded Associate of the Royal Red Cross in recognition of her distinguished service in Italy.

Later career On her return to civilian life she took up post as administrative sister at St Thomas' Hospital before her appointment as matron of Liverpool's Royal Infirmary in 1948. She retired in 1965, having contributed to the post-war rebuilding of the hospital and introduced many innovations in nurse education.

Death Theodora Turner died at Wantage, Oxfordshire, aged 92, from old age.

Curriculum vitae ARRC, 1944 Education Officer, Education Centre, Royal College of Nursing, Birmingham, 1953–55 Matron, St Thomas' Hospital and Superintendent, Nightingale Training School, 1955–65 President, Royal College of Nursing, 1966–68