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NEITHER INVISIBLE NOR FORGOTTEN: THE NURSE'S STORY The Life and Times of Myra Blanch First 'flying nurse' of the Royal Flying Doctor Service 1945-1954 Jillian Newlands (nee Barclay), DipT BEd MEd A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Medicine Menzies School of Health Research University of Sydney September 2003 Declaration I certify that this thesis does not incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any university; and that to the best of my knowledge and belief it does not contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text. '%~~~ Jillian Newlands Candidate I believe that this thesis is properly presented, conforms to the specification for the thesis and is of sufficient standard to be, prima facie, worthy of examination. ~~~ Barry Elsey, PhD International Graduate School of Management University of South Australia Supervisor NEITHER INVISIBLE NOR FORGOTTEN: THE NURSE'S STORY The Life and Times of Myra Blanch first 'flying nurse' of the Royal Flying Doctor Service 1945-1954 ABSTRACT In 1928, Rev. John Flynn of the Australian Inland Mission set up the world's first civilian Aerial Medical Service. In 1932 it became the Australian Aerial Medical Service. In 1942 the name was changed to Flying Doctor Service (FDS), the prefix 'Royal' being added in 1956. It is now the largest such organization in the world. In 1945, Myra Blanch was employed by the New South Wales (NSW) Section of the FDS as its first full-time flight nurse. During her nine years in that role her work gained wide media coverage, particularly during the first twelve months, as she pioneered the new specialty of flight nursing. Her courageous work set the example for FDS sections in other States, and the model she developed came to be accepted as best practice. Fifty years later, her vision for flight nurse practice and health care delivery to the clients of the NSW FDS network inspires the utmost respect. However, in the histories of the RFDS (that Australian icon) and of the Australian nursing profession, her significant contribution is virtually unknown-figuratively speaking 'invisible'. Historically, the contribution of other nurses to their profession was undervalued-as that of other women to society. Ironically, the FDS in NSW (though not in other States) apparently viewed her work as insignificant, and she and her work were largely forgotten. The purpose of this biographical study, the first of its kind in aviation nursing, is to lift the veil-to document Myra Blanch's remarkable legacy to the RFDS and to all her successors. Neither Invisible nor Forgotten: the Nurse's Story The Life and Times of Myra Blanch first 'flying nurse' of the Royal Flying Doctor Service 1945-1954 Title Page Declaration Abstract Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction 1 Background 1 Research Topic 3 Personal Interest in Topic 4 Thesis 5 Format 7 Purpose 11 Chapter Two: Literature 12 Royal Flying Doctor Service: 14 Medical Emergency and Health Care Background 14 Royal Flying Doctor Service Origins 14 Royal Flying Doctor Service Operations: 2001-2002 17 Royal Flying Doctor Service Operating Parameters 19 Royal Flying Doctor Service and Health Department Flight Nurses 25 Material Published by Royal Flying Doctor Service 25 Material Commissioned by Royal Flying Doctor Service 32 Material Published Independently 34 Other Flight Nurses 41 Summary 45 Chapter Three: Research Methodology 48 Qualitative Research Methodology 48 Historiography 50 Research Design 52 Primary Sources: Archives 53 Secondary Sources 56 Oral History 56 Oral History Process 60 Interviewing: Collecting Oral Histories 62 Ethical Considerations 64 Summary 67 Chapter Four: Story of Myra Blanch 69 Concept of 'Flying Nurse' 69 Myra Blanch 72 Life in Flying Doctor Service 74 Life after Flying Doctor Service 85 Summary 85 Chapter Five: A significant contribution 87 Section One: Flying Nurse in FDS Publications 88 Appointment 88 Pioneering Years: 1946-1950 88 Subsequent years: 1951-1954 99 Summary: FDS publications 100 Section Two: Flying Nurse in Local and National Print Media 100 Work Role 101 Modes of Transport 102 FDS Teamwork 104 1955 Royal Visit 104 Resignation 104 Summary: General Print Media 105 Section Three: Radio Broadcasts 105 1946 106 1948-1952 111 Summary of radio station broadcasts 120 Section Four: Myra Blanch's professional diaries 121 1945-1946 121 1946 123 1947 130 1948 133 1949 138 1950 141 1951-1952 145 ii 1953 148 1954 154 Overall Summary of Myra Blanch's Diaries and Reports 158 Section Five: Health Survey 1953-54 159 Overview 160 Overall summary of chapter 168 Chapter Six: Legacy 170 Legacy: Evolution of RFDS Flight Nurse Practice 171 Victorian RFDS Section 172 SA RFDS Section 176 NSW RFDS Section 178 Flight Nurse Practice: 1990s 185 Summary of Legacy: Evolution of Flight Nurse Practice 189 Legacy: RFDS Flight Nurse Practice 190 Flight Nurse Job Description: 1945-1954 190 Discussion 199 Summary: Flight Nurse Practice 204 CHAPTER SEVEN: 'INVISIBLE' WOMEN 205 History 205 Women 205 Pioneer Women 207 Pioneer Nurses 208 Doctors. Nurses. Health Care 209 Outback Women 209 Outback Nurses 210 'Invisibility' 210 Nurses 210 RFDS 212 The Cost of 'Invisibility' 213 RFDS history 213 RFDS and nursing history 213 RFDS flight nurse practice 213 RFDS and health outcomes 214 Summary 214 CHAPTER EIGHT: CONCLUSION 216 iii APPENDICES 218 A Map of Australia AIM and Frontier Services Hospitals and Health Services 1911-1990 218 B Map of Australia AIM Aerial Medical Services 1927 219 C Map of Australia RFDS Bases 2000 220 D Australian Archives National Library in Canberra Search Details 221 E Confirmation of Interview Form Letter 223 F Conditions of Interview Copyright Consent Form Letter 224 G Oral History Interview Questions Guidelines 225 H Alice Springs Institutional Ethics Committee Project Approval 226 I Photographs of Myra Blanch and John Woods Extract from FDS Booklet 1950 227 J Map of Australia NSW FDS Network Medical Facilities 1954 228 K Map of Australia NSW FDS Network Population Densities 1954 229 L RFDS Position Description Flight Nurse 230 M RFDS Position Description Child and Family Health Nurse 233 N Oral History Interviews 235 Footnotes 236 RFDS References 246 General References 252 iv NEITHER INVISIBLE NOR FORGOTTEN: THE NURSE'S STORY The Life and Times of Myra Blanch First 'flying nurse' of the Royal Flying Doctor Service 1945-1954 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Myra Blanch, the first appointed flying nurse, made a significant contribution to the nursing profession, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) of Australia, and the health outcomes of outback people. However, notwithstanding partial recognition of her work during her nine years of employment with the New South Wales Section of the Flying Doctor Service• (FDS), as it was referred to prior to 1955, the rich contribution of this pioneering woman has remained largely undisclosed. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the thesis and explains how the author's interest in the topic has led to the original research reported in this thesis, which may help in redressing the lack of interest previously shown to this historically significant figure. Background The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia is the oldest aeromedical organization in the world.