Behind today’s NHS are stories of dedication and resilience. One such story began in the 1950s, when young nurses from across the Commonwealth came to Britain to help care for a nation in recovery - including right here in Brighton.
A Healthcare System in Crisis
When the NHS launched in 1948, it promised free healthcare for all. But there was a major problem: the UK didn’t have enough nurses.
Over 50,000 nursing jobs were left unfilled.
Brighton and Hove, like the rest of the country, felt this pressure. Local hospitals couldn’t recruit enough staff to care for patients still recovering from the impact of war.
Looking Beyond Britain’s Borders
To tackle the shortage, the UK government turned to the Commonwealth. In the 1950s, recruitment campaigns targeted countries like:
- Jamaica
- Trinidad
- Barbados
- British Guiana (now Guyana)
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Malaysia
Adverts promoted nursing as a chance to gain training, adventure, and help the “mother country.”
By 1955, official nursing recruitment programmes operated across 16 British colonies and former colonies. Some of the people who came to train worked in Brighton.
Arriving in Brighton: A New Chapter Begins
Local hospitals — including
Brighton General Hospital
and smaller units in Hove — began accepting international nurses into their training programmes.
Dolly Bhagwandin came from Guyana aged 20 and trained at Brighton General Hospital. She went on to work in nursing and midwifery; her story
describes her journey.
Highly Skilled — But Starting Over
Many overseas nurses came from well-educated, professional backgrounds. Some had already trained in respected hospitals like Kingston Public Hospital in Jamaica.
However, British rules meant they often had to
start at lower levels
, retrain, or prove their qualifications again.
Life in Hospital Accommodation
Trainees lived in hospital housing, often
shared dormitories with curfews
, communal meals, and strict rules. Training combined lectures, exams, and ward work.
The colder weather, unfamiliar food, and culture shock were challenging. But strong friendships soon formed. Nurses:
- Shared meals from home
- Celebrated cultural festivals
- Supported one another through homesickness and prejudice
Delivering Care and Facing Discrimination
Photos from the 1950s and ’60s show diverse nursing teams working side by side. Overseas nurses provided essential care - from assisting surgeries to working night shifts and geriatric wards.
But they often
faced racism. Some
patients refused treatment from Black nurses. Others made hurtful comments or questioned their abilities.
While some hospitals defended their staff, others reassigned nurses to avoid conflict.
Still, there were positive moments:
- Senior nurses acted as mentors
- Community groups offered support
- Nurses took part in local social life, including Brighton Carnival and community dances
Legacy and Local Impact
Overseas nurses helped
keep Brighton’s hospitals running
during a national staffing crisis.
Their skills, resilience, and care supported thousands of patients and reshaped healthcare in the city.
By 1977, overseas recruits made up an estimated 12% of student nurses and midwives in Britain.
Many stayed, settled in Brighton, and raised families. Others, including Dolly, continued their nursing careers elsewhere.
Nurse Spotlight:
Dolly
from Guyana
- Arrived in Brighton aged 20.
- Trained as a nurse at Brighton General.
- Went on to work in nursing and midwifery.
- A true pioneer whose legacy continues today.
A Story Worth Remembering
These nurses, part of the
Windrush generation,
brought compassion, skill, and strength to a country in need.
They shaped the NHS as we know it today and helped make Brighton’s health services more inclusive and resilient.
Related articles:
Dolly's story
Shirley's story
Vilma's story
Sources
The King’s Fund: Windrush and the NHS
History & Policy: Immigration and the National Health Service
The National Archives: Recruiting nurses from Africa
