Agnes Hunt facts for kids

Dame Agnes Gwendoline Hunt (born December 31, 1866 – died July 24, 1948) was a very important British nurse. She is known as the first nurse to specialize in orthopaedic care. Orthopaedic care is all about treating problems with bones, joints, and muscles.

Early Life and Challenges

Agnes Hunt was born in London, England. She was one of eleven children. When she was a child, she suffered from a serious bone infection called osteomyelitis in her hip. This illness caused her to have a disability.

Her family moved around, living in different parts of England and even in Australia for a time. Despite her own health challenges, Agnes was determined to help others.

Starting Her Nursing Career

In 1887, Agnes returned to England and began training as a nurse. She trained at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl, Wales.

Agnes had a special dream: to create a place where children with disabilities could get better. In 1900, she opened a special home called the Baschurch Children's Hospital. It was located at Florence House, a family property in Baschurch. She believed in "open-air treatment," which meant letting patients spend time outdoors to help them heal.

Working with Robert Jones

In 1901, Agnes sought help for her own condition from a famous surgeon named Robert Jones in Liverpool. She was so impressed by him that she invited him to visit her children's home.

Dr. Jones began visiting regularly to treat the children. Together, Agnes and Robert Jones made great improvements to the hospital.

• By 1907, they had built an operating theatre for surgeries.
• In 1913, they started using X-rays to see inside the body, which was very advanced for the time.

The hospital became a training school for nurses in 1910. During World War I, Florence House was used to help wounded soldiers recover. For her important work during the war, Agnes was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1918.

A Lasting Friendship

Agnes Hunt had a close friend and companion named Emily Selina Goodford, often called 'Goody'. They lived and worked together for many years at Florence House. Agnes wrote about their strong friendship, saying they shared "perfect love and unity." Goody passed away in 1920. Agnes and Emily are buried together in Baschurch.

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

After World War I, the hospital needed more space. In 1919, with help from the British Red Cross Society, the hospital moved to a larger site near Oswestry. It was renamed the Shropshire Orthopaedic Hospital.

This new hospital continued to train nurses. It also started a school for children, which later grew into Derwen College, a training college for disabled adults. The hospital helped wounded soldiers again during World War II.

Even after a big fire in 1948, the hospital was rebuilt and expanded. Today, it is known as The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. It stands as a lasting tribute to Agnes Hunt's vision and hard work.

Honours and Legacy

In 1926, Agnes Hunt was given a very special honour. She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This means she was recognized by the King or Queen for her outstanding contributions to society.

Agnes Hunt passed away in 1948 at the age of 81. Her ashes were buried in the churchyard at Baschurch. A plaque inside the church has a quote that reflects her life: "Reared in suffering thou shalt know how to solace others' woe. The reward of pain doth lie in the gift of sympathy." This means that because she experienced pain herself, she knew how to comfort others who were suffering. Her life showed the power of kindness and understanding.