AWM137 2/1 - Historical information and general development of the RAAF Nursing Service - Notes of History of the RAAF Nursing Service 1940-1944 - Part 9

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MEMORANDUM TO STATION COMMANDING OFFICERS
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE NURSING SERVICE
Some doubt appears to exist in the Service generally regarding
the actual position of members of the R.A.A.F. Nursing Service.
The following information is promulgated for the guidance of
Commanding Officers of Units at which members are posted. Complete
standing orders for the Nursing Service will be published later.
STATUS:
Members of the Nursing Service (though not subject to the
Air Force act except when on active service), are governed and
administered, as far as may be, as if they were officers of the
Royal Australian Air Force. In all matters connected with their
professional duty in and about hospitals and sick quarters, they
will be regarded as having authority next after officers of the
medical Branch, and are to be obeyed accordingly. In conformity
with the etiquette of the Service they will at all times be
accorded the same marks of respect as are prescribed for officers.
Members of the R.A.A.F. Nursing Service, all of whom are fully
qualified, trained nurses, do not hold rank but are graded.
These grades are distinguished by badges on the sleeves of winter
uniform, and on the shoulder straps of summer uniform, cape, and
great-coat. Although they have no authority outside their
professional duties for purpose of precedence when necessary these
grades may be regarded as comparable with the ranks shown in the
following table:

MODE OF ADDRESS:
It is correct at all times to address a member of any grade
as "Miss 'So-and-So'", but when circumstances make it preferable
they may be addressed as "Matron" if that grade is held, or otherwise
as "Sister", custom including staff nurses in this latter category.
In orders or official correspondence, the full grade will always
be used, e.g.:- "Senior Sister Brown" or "Staff Nurse Jones."
COURTESIES:
Off duty officers of any rank, belonging to the Station, when
passing a member of the Nursing Service will salute as they would
any lady of their acquaintance. The salute is acknowledged as in
civil life. Members of the Nursing Service do not salute at any time.
ORDERS.
Orders of a professional nature will be initiated by the
commanding officer of the hospital or senior medical officer of a
sick quarters or their deputies. Orders of a general nature, such
as affecting movement, security, bounds etc shall be transmitted
through the commanding officer of the hospital or senior medics
officer, sick quarters. The precise disciplinary relationship of
 

members of the Station Cmmander otherwise than as civilians
employed on his station need not be further defined, but tact and
commonsense should overcome most dfficulties. The Director of
Medical Services may terminate the appointment of a member at any
time.
MESSES:
Members of the Nursing Service will be regarded as having
their own mess, and not as being members of the officers’ mess.
ENTERTAINMENTS:
The rules for officers’ messes shall awply as for ladies
generally. No invitation to an officers‘ mess entertainment
in any part of the Service shall be sent to an individual member
of the Nursing Service. Invitations shall be issued as follows:-
"The Commanding Officer and Officers..." or "The P.M.0. and members
of the Officers’ Mess...." invite "The Matron (or Senior Sister) and
(...) members of the R.A.A.F. Nursing Service...". The invitation
may be acknowledged stating the names of the members accepting.
The same principle will apply in the return of hospitality.
Members of the Nursing Service shall not at any time receive
hospitality in any non-commissioned ranks’ mess, but may attend
general Station entertainments at which officers are present.
The importance of strictly suppressing any fraternization
between officers and nurses on the Station cannot be over-emphasised.
SIGNED T. E. V. HURLEY
Air Commodore, D.M.S.,
for AIR MEMBER FOR PERBONNEL
(H 78/40)
RELATIVE RANKS - R.A.A.F. NURSING SERVICE & MALE OFFLCERS R.A.A.F.
Matron-in-Chief                  Group Captain
Principal Matron                 Wing Commander
Matron                                   Squadron Leader
Senior Sister                         Flight Lieutenant            
Staff Nurse or                     ) Flying Officer
Sister (Group 1)                   ) 
Sister (Group 11)                  )
Staff Masseuse (Group 1)  )
Staff Masseuse (Group 11) )
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BADGES OF RANK as for P.M. R,A,F N.S.
Matron-in-Chief ½" light blue stripe braid on maroon silk braid
1½" surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
Principal Matron ½" light blue stripe braid on maroon silk braid
1½" surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
Matrons ½" light blue stripe braid on maroon silk braid 1½" surmounted
by small black eagle and crown.
Senior Sisters ¼" light blue stripe on maroon silk braid 1¼" 
surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
Sisters ¼" light blue stripe on dark blue silk braid 1¼" surmounted
by small black eagle and crown.
Staff Nurses ¼" dark blue stripe on dark blue silk braid 1¼" 
surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
 

Shoulder straps:
Matrons - Maroon cloth with one row of light blue silk braid ½",
Lower edge ½" from the bottom of the shoulder strap -
surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
Senior Sisters - Maroon cloth with one row of light blue silk
braid ¼" wide, the lower edge ⅛" from the bottom
of the shoulder strap. Surmounted by small
black eagle and crown.
Sisters - Dark blue cloth, with one row of light blue silk braid
¼" wide, the lower edge ⅛" from the bottom of shoulder
strap - surmounted with small black eagle and crown.
Staff Nurses - Dark blue cloth - surmounted by small black eagle
and crown.
Mess dress shoulder straps silk, with rank braid surmounted by small
gilt eagle and crown.
1943
On being commissioned on 24.3.43 (A.B.0. "N" 211 23/3/45) the rank
braid as worn by officers of the R.A.A.F. superseded that previously
worn.
Matron-in-Chief Four rows ½” black braid with l/16" light blue
stripe in centre, surmounted by small black eagle
and crown.
Principal Matron Three rows ½" black braid with l/16" light blue
stripe in centre, surmounted by small black
eagle and crown.
Matrons One row %" black braid with narrow blue stripe between
two rows §" black braid with l/16" light blue stripe
in centre, surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
Senior Sisters Two rows ½" black braid with l/16" light blue
stripe surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
Sisters One row ½" black braid with 1/16" light blue stripe
surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
Staff Nurses One row ½" black braid with 1/16" light blue
stripe surmounted by small black eagle and crown.
ABOLITION OF RANK OF STAFF NURSE:
By Royal Warrant dated 8.3.41 published in British Army
Order, the rank of Staff Nurse in Queen Alexandra's Imperial
Military Nursing Service, Q.A.I.M.N.S. Reserve, Territorial Army
Nursing Service and cognate services, was abolished with effect
from 30.l.41 and entrants into those services and Staff Nurses
already appointed were to rank as Sisters.
On l9.11.41 the Secretary to Air Board to Secretary of the
Department of Defence Co-ordination wrote:
"It is understood that a proposal has been submitted by the
Department of Army to abolish the grade of Staff Nurse in the
Army Nursing Service, consequent upon similar action having
been taken in the Imperial Military Nursing Service.
In view of the inter-service aspects involved and that the
R.A.A.F. Nursing Service is concerned, it is desired that this
Department may have the opportunity of expressing its view on the 
proposal before any change in that connection"
N.B. Rank of Staff Nurse (R.A.A.F. Nursing Service) abolished 1.4.42) 

ABOLITION OF SISTER AND STAFF MASSEUSE GROUP 1 AND 2 AND
ALTERATION OF TITLES 23.3.43:
Authority: A.B.O. "N" 222/44.
Officers holding rank of Sister or Staff Masseuse Group 11
during any period commencing on or after that date entitled to
an increase in active pay for such period at the rate of 1/6
per day. Deferred pay at the higher rate e.g. 2/6 per day, was
also credited from the appropriate dates in accordance with the
usual conditions.
Future appointments to the R.A.A.F. Nursing Service were made
with the rank of Sister or Staff Masseuse.
Abolition of rank of Staff Nurse 1.4.42
Abolition of Sister and Staff Masseuse Group 1 and 2 23.3.43
From that date ranks were Sister, Senior Sister Matron, etc.
Establishment:  Principal Matron,
2 Training Group.
14.2.42 Approved
Organisation memorandum
852 13/342
T 69/54
501020 Matron M. K. Doherty was appointed Principal Matron 23.3.42.
Her duties were to assist the Matron in Chief with the administration
of the R.A.A.F. Nursing Service in New South Wales and Queensland.
Her headquarters were with the P.M.O. No.2 Training Group at Point
Piper and later Orient Buildings, Spring Street, Sydney.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
AIR BOARD,
Air Force Headquarters,
MELBOURNE. C1.
Principal Medical Officer, Training Groups and Areas.
Commanding Officers, R.A.A.F. Hospitals.
Senior Medical Officers of Units where members of the
R.A.A.F. Nursing Service are employed.
R.A.A.F. NURSING SERVICE
The Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service is now well
established and its benefit in the care of sick members of the
R.A.A.F. is well appreciated. with the introduction of W.A.A.A.F.s
in other branches of the Service, the Nursing Service will be still
further extended.

 2. The regulations and Standing Orders for the Nursing Service
will be promulgated at a future date when they have been finally
approved by the Department of Defence Co-ordination. The substance
of a previous memorandum forwarded 31.12.1940 has been incorporated
in this circular.
3. STATUS
Members of the Nursing Service (though not subject to the Air
Force Act except when on active service), are governed and administered
as far as may be, as if they were officers of the Royal Australian
Air Force. In all matters connected with their professional duty
in and about hospitals and sick quarters, they will be regarded as
having authority next after officers of the Medical Branch and are
to be obeyed accordingly. In conformity with the etiquette of the
Service they will at all times be accorded the same mark of respect
as are prescribed for officers. Members of the R.A.A.F. Nursing
Service, all of whom are fully qualified and trained nurses, do not
hold rank but are graded. These grades are distinguished by badges
on the sleeves of winter uniform and on the shoulder straps of summer
uniform, capes, and great-coat. Although they are no authority outside
of their professional duties these greades may be regarded as, for purpose
of precedence when necessary as comparable wit h the ranks shown in
the following table.

4. MODE OF ADDRESS.

Some confusion has been caused by the habit of addressing the
Senior Sister at smaller stations as Matron, and this practice is
to be discontinued.
It is correct at all times to address a member of any grade
as "Miss So-andSo", but when circumstances make it preferable she
may be addressed as "Matron" if that grade is held, or otherwise
as "Sister", custom including staff nurses in this later category.
In orders of official correspondence, the full grade will always
be used, e.g., "Senior Sister Brown" or "Staff Nurse Jones".

5. COURTESIES.

Off duty officers of any rank, belonging to the Station, when
passing a member of the Nursing Service will salute as they would
any lady of their acquaintance. This salute is acknowledged as in
civil life. Members of the Nursing Service do not salute at any time.

6. ORDERS.

Orders of a professional nature will be initiated by the
commanding officer of the hospital or senior medical officer
of a sick quarters or their deputies. Orders of a general nature such
as affecting movement, security, bounds, etc., shall be
transmitted through the commanding officer of the hospital or

senior medical officer, sick quarters. The precise disciplinary
relationship of members to the Station Commander otherwise than as
civilians employed on his station need to be further defined,
but tact and commonsense should overcome most difficulties.
7. TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT.
The Director of Medical Services may terminate the appointment of a member at any time.

8. MESSES.
Members of the Nursing Service will be regarded as having
their own mess, and not as being members of the officers' mess.
9. ENTERTAINMENTS.

The rules for officers' messes shall apply as for ladies
generally. No invitation to an officers' mess entertainment
in any part of the Service shall be sent to an individual member of
the Nursing Service. Invitations shall be issues as follows:-
"The Commanding Officer and Officers......."

or "The P.M.O. and members of the Officers' Mess....."
invite "The Matron (or Senior Sister) and (....) members
of the R.A.A.F. Nursing Services.....".

The invitation may be acknowledged stating the names of the
members accepting, The same principle will apply in the return
of hospitality. Members of the Nursing Service shall not at any
time receive hospitality in any non-commissioned ranks mess, but
may attend general station entertainments at which officers are present.
The importance of strictly suppressing any fraternization
between officers and nurses on the station cannot be over-emphasised.
10. The channels of communication for members of the Nursing
Service are as follows:-
(i) Matters of a purely personal nature or affecting
the Nursing Service alone - throught the Matron or
Sister in Charge to the Matron-in-Chief and themes,
if necessary, to the Director of Medical Services.
(ii) Matters affecting the Unit or Station - through
the Matron or Sister-in-Charge to the C.O., Hospital
or S.M.O,m and thence, if necessary, to  and via
the Station Commander.
(iii) Matters affecting the Medical Branch - through
the Matron or Sister-In-Charge to the C.O., Hospital
or S.M.O., and then, if necessary, to and via
the Station Commander to P.M.O. to D.M.S.

(iv) Leave: Through Matron or Sister-in-Charge to
C.O., Hospital or S.M.O., Station, to Matron-in-Chief
for approval.
(v) Pay and Allowances: Through Matron or Sister-in-
Charge and then through the usual Service channels.
11. The contents of this circular are not for general promulgation,
but should be abstracted or conveyed verbally to those concerned.
They are to be retained for reference when necessary and handed
over to your successor on his taking over.

VICTOR HURLEY 7.10.41
Air Commodore, Director of Medical Services.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE NURSING SERVICE
STANDING ORDERS.

SECTION 1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL MEMBERS.

1.  DISCIPLINE:

(a) Members will be under the command of the commanding
officer of the hospital or the senior medical officer of
station sick quarters to which they are attached. The
commanding officer or senior medical officer will exercise
his authority through a matron or sister-in-charge.

(b) When on active service members will be subject to
Air Force law by operation of the Air Force Act.

2.  ACQUAINTANCE WITH REGULATIONS AND ORDERS:

A member of will make herself acquainted with, obey, and
insofar as comes within her authority, enforce all
regulations, orders and instructions pertaining to the
Service. She will also make herself acquainted with
Part VII of the Crimes Act 1914 - 1937, and National Security
Regulation Statutory Rule NO. 109.

3.  COMMUNICATION WITH THE C.O.:

Any communication between a member and the commanding officer
of a hospital or senior medical officer of station sick
quarters will be made through a matron or sister-in-charge.

4.  MEMBER IN TEMPORARY CHARGE:
A member in temporary charge of a hospital or station sick
quarters will not issue any new orders or instructions or
alter any of those which are at the time in force without
the authority of the matron or sister in permanent charge,
nor will she authorise the application of any mess funds to
any other purpose than that of providing for the ordinary
mess expenses.
 5.  EQUIPMENT AND BEDDING IN QUARTERS:

A member will be responsible for maintain in good order
all articles of equipment and bedding which are issued to her.
6.  LOSS, DAMAGE AND DEFICIENCIES:
A member will be held personally responsible for all articles
of government property in her charge, and if such article
is lost or damaged by reason of her neglect or wilful default,
she may, at the discretion of the commanding officer of the
hospital or the senior medical officer of station sick
quarters to which she is attached, be required to make
good such loss or damage.
7.  ECONOMY
A member will take great care that there is no waste of
provisions, fuel, light, water, surgical dressings or other
articles, and ensure that the greatest possible economy is
exercised in the use of forms and paper. The use of
government stationery for private purposes is forbidden.
(HD2/42)
and later (HD7/43) reprint

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8.  HOURS OF DUTY
The hours of duty, meals and recreation for members
will be those fixed by the matron or sister-in-charge.
9.  LEAVE
Application for recreation or special leave for all members
will be made through the matron or sister-in-charge.
10.  ABSENCE FROM HOSPITAL, HOURS OF RETURN TO QUARTERS:
(i)  A member will not absent herself from a hospital
without permission from the matron or sister-in-charge.
(ii)  A member desiring to remain out after midnight must
obtain a late pass from the matron or sister-in-charge.
(iii)  If a member becomes ill while temporarily absent
from her unit, the matron or sister-in-charge must be
notified immediately.
11.  SMOKING:
A member is not permitted to smoke in the precincts of a
hospital or station sick quarters, or in any public place
when in uniform.
12.  LIQUORS:
A member is not permitted to partake of alcoholic liquors
in messes or in public places when in uniform. Alcoholic
liquors will not be served in the nurses' quarters.
13.  A member will bear in mind that she belongs to a Service
the honour of which is in her keeping. She will, therefore,
avoid giving occasion for comment by an indiscreet
behaviour or talk,
SECTION II. INSTRUCTIONS FOR A MATRON OR SISTER-IN-CHARGE.
14.  SISTER-IN-CHARGE 
At a hospital where a matron is not borne on the strength,
a senior sister or a sister will undertake the duties of a
matron and will be known as the sister-in-charge.
15.  GENERAL
(i) A matron or sister-in-charge will be responsible to
the commanding officer of the hospital or the senior
medical officer of station sick quarters for all nursing
arrangements, for the careful tending of the sick, for
the efficient performance of their duties by and for the
good discipline and behaviour of all members, nursing
orderlies, and domestic employees, and for the cleanliness
and good order of wards or station sick quarters.
(ii)  She will not be responsible for the nursing in wards
which are set apart by the commanding officer of a hospital
or the senior medical officer of station sick quarters for
cases which are unsuitable for attention for members of the
Service.
16.  DETAILING FOR DUTY:
(i)  A matron or sister-in-charge will detail the sisters
and staff nurses for duty.
(HD2/42)

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(ii)  She will detail the sisters and staff nurses for
night duty, normally for a period of one month.
17.  INSTRUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS:
A matron or sister-in-charge will be responsible for the
proper instruction of newly appointed members and orderlies
in all matters relating to their duties in the ward.
18.  MEMBERS' UNIFORM:
A matron or sister-in-charge will be responsible to see
that the uniform of all members under her charge is
correctly worn, maintained in a scrupulous condition,
and that the required order of dress is adopted according
to A.F.O. 26/A/17.
19.  SICKNESS OF MEMBERS:
A matron or sister-in-charge will ensure that proper medical

and nursing attendance is promptly provided for sick members.
20.  MEMBERS' LEAVE:
A matron or sister-in-charge will make application for
recreation or special leave of all members through the
commanding officer or senior medical officer to the Matron-in-chief
for approval.
21.  ABSENCE FROM HOSPITAL:
A matron or sister-in-charge will ensure that equipment and
bedding supplied for members quarters are in accordance with
scale. She will make a daily inspection of members'
quarters, and will ensure that each member maintains in
good order the articles of equipment and bedding which are
issued to her.
22.  BOOKS AND MESS ACCOUNTS:
(i)  A matron or sister-in-charge will see that all books
and accounts connected with the nursing and domestic staff
are correctly kept, and that a monthly record of the mess,
vouched by bills and receipts, is made.
(ii)  She will ensure that the mess is conducted without any
extravagance or unnecessary expense.
24.  MEALS:
A matron or sister-in-charge will ensure that patients
meals are satisfactory.
25.  TAKING OVER R.A.A.F. EQUIPMENT:
A matron or sister-in-charge will be responsible to inform
each member of the nursing staff of her responsibility in
taking over the equipment of the ward or section to which
she is posted.

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26.  CARE OF LINEN:
A matron or sister-in-charge will be responsible for the
care of the linen for the hospital or station sick
quarters and nurses' quarters, and to arrange for necessary
repairs.
27.  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GIFTS:
A matron or sister-in-charge will acknowledge and thank
donors for gifts received through the nursing staff for
the hospital or nurses quarters and will keep a record
of such gifts.
28.  TRAINING OF ORDERLIES:
A matron or sister-in-charge will render any assistance
required by the senior medical officer in training N.C.Os,
and orderlies of the R.A.A.F. Medical Service.
29.  REFERENCE TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER:
(i)  A matron or sister-in-charge will report daily to the
commanding officer of a hospital or the senior medical
officer of station sick quarters on all matters coming
within the scope of her duties.
(ii) She will immediately report to the commanding officer
of a hospital or senior medical officer of station sick
quarters any instance of neglect of duty or impropriety
of behaviour on the part of any member, nursing orderly,
domestic employee or patient.
SECTION III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR A SENIOR SISTER.
 30.  At  a hospital where a matron is borne on the strength, a
senior sister will act as the matron's assistant, and in
the matron's absence will perform the matron's duties.
SECTION IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR A SISTER.
31.  GENERAL.
(I)  A sister is under the authority of the matron or
sister-in-charge and of senior sisters.
(ii)  She will be responsible for the cleanliness,
ventilation, lighting and warming of the wards under her
charge, and for the good order of the annexes.
(iii)  In the wards under her charge, she will be responsible
for the careful and proper nursing of patients, and if necessary
will personally take part in the nursing of patients who are
seriously ill.
(iv)  She will accompany the medical officer in charge of the
ward on his visit, ensure that his orders are written on the
case sheet or in ward order book and confirmed by his signature,
and be responsible to see that the medical officer's orders are
carried out.