Monday, January 01, 2007


Happy New Year. How would you like to work in a ward like this? This is the state of the art Acute Referral Unit in one of Britain's most prestigious Naval facilities. Notice the elevated positioning of the beds, to protect the staff from back strain. Notice the compactness of the area, with all equipment within easy reaching distance. It's also well ventilated to provide patients with much needed fresh air.
I can sense your excitement and eagerness to work in such a therapeutic environment. Alas, I must inform you that this particular ward is no longer a functioning clinical area.
It is the sickbay of HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, which now stands in a dry dock in Portsmouth Naval Base. I visited it this summer, and took this picture. The function of the hammocks is now obvious, now you know it's on a ship.

3 comments:

Bo... said...

Speaking of back strain, I've got a patient right now for whom I've got to do daily a IV med and wound care to 5 wounds---in a bed that's only about a foot & a half off the ground. And it's KILLING my back, aaargh...

Deacon Barry said...

What are they lying on - a futon?

Steven Bently said...

Hospital can't afford a good air mattress, eh?
What happened to the guy, have an accident with a nailclipper?...lol