The Irish Immigrants Who Built Britain's NHS

In the 1960s, over 30,000 Irish immigrants were working in Britain’s National Health Service (NHS). While the NHS is often celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest achievements, the vital contributions of these Irish nurses are frequently overlooked. In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Louise Ryan, co-author of Irish Nurses in the NHS: An Oral History, to discuss the experiences of these remarkable women.

Louise shares how, for many Irish nurses, Britain offered opportunities unimaginable at home. Yet, despite their essential role in building the NHS, they often faced racism and discrimination.

Get Irish Nurses in the NHS: An Oral History by Louise Ryan, Gráinne Mac Polin, and Neha Doshi: Four Courts Press

Special offer: Life in Medieval Ireland and The Black Death in Ireland – both books for €30 https://irishhistory.bigcartel.com/product/medieval-ireland-book-bundle-two-bestsellers-for-30

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Sound by Kate Dunlea

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