From 19th century nursing reforms to current practice: a selective overview with special reference to The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital (The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital NHS Trust from 1993)

Early nursing reforms in the 19th century are usually associated with Nightingale, although later emphasis has been placed on similar movements in the Poor Law sector. Extension of nursing influence over decision‐making in terms of nursing practice and education is charted, using examples from 19th century Minutes of hospital committees and more recent experience based mainly on the observations made by one of the writers, who had substantial input into steering the hospital through the stages prior to achieving National Health Service (NHS) Trust status. The significance of nurse executive power following the 1990s NHS reforms is highlighted and means of extending the use of this authority are explored.