{"id":1803,"date":"2022-08-22T15:28:14","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T14:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/?page_id=1803"},"modified":"2022-09-11T01:22:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T00:22:40","slug":"history-of-the-royal-naval-medical-branch","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/home\/history\/history-of-the-royal-naval-medical-branch\/","title":{"rendered":"History of the Royal Naval Medical Branch"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>#kt-layout-id_183b9f-2c > .kt-row-column-wrap{z-index:10;position:relative;align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_183b9f-2c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_183b9f-2c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px 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kt-mobile-layout-row\"><style>.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_93100e-f0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_93100e-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_93100e-f0\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>#kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px );padding-left:25px;padding-right:25px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}#kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-rowlayout alignnone\"><div id=\"kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb\" class=\"kt-row-layout-inner kt-layout-id_541bcb-cb\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-gutter-default kt-v-gutter-default kt-row-valign-top kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-m-colapse-left-to-right kt-mobile-layout-row\"><style>.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_2e45a0-55{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_2e45a0-55 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_2e45a0-55\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_910d08-98\"]{text-align:center;font-size:50px;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_910d08-98\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_910d08-98\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_910d08-98[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_910d08-98\"]{font-size:40px;}}<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"kt-adv-heading_910d08-98 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading_910d08-98\"><strong>History of the Royal Naval Medical Branch<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"kt-row-layout-bottom-sep kt-row-sep-type-sltl\"><svg style=\"fill:var(--global-palette9)\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\"><path d=\"M1000,0l-1000,100l1000,0l0,-100Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>#kt-layout-id_c564cb-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_c564cb-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_c564cb-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px );padding-bottom:10px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(75% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(25% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)));}#kt-layout-id_c564cb-35 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_c564cb-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_c564cb-35 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-rowlayout alignnone\"><div id=\"kt-layout-id_c564cb-35\" class=\"kt-row-layout-inner kt-layout-id_c564cb-35\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-gutter-default kt-v-gutter-default kt-row-valign-top kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-m-colapse-left-to-right kt-mobile-layout-row  kt-custom-first-width-75  kt-custom-second-width-25\"><style>.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_2e4520-1b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_2e4520-1b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_2e4520-1b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.8\">There was no demand for ship\u2019s surgeons during medieval times, as the Navy&#8217;s primary role was a transport service plus all sea-fights took place within easy reach of the coasts. Disabled mariners often found themselves homeless. Hospitals of a kind known as Houses of Pity were run by monks of various religious orders. Church edict of&nbsp;1308&nbsp;decreed that all students of medicine be obliged to study the scriptures translated from Arabic, Greek and Latin.??By&nbsp;1424&nbsp;a charter was given to the new guild of \u2018Barber Surgeons\u2019<br>On occasions medical men had been known to work with the Army and Navy, It is difficult to give an exact date for the appointment of sea-surgeons. The appointment or attachment was for the personal attention to the King, as at Agincourt in 1415, or to the Ship\u2019s Captains.<br>It does appear that many British Tudor warships carried one of the new breed of barber-surgeons and it is apparent from the medical artefacts recovered from the Mary Rose that their medical knowledge was of a wider scope than once thought.<br>About&nbsp;1597&nbsp;the expression \u2018loblolly\u2019 boy was first noted. Oxford Dictionary lists the following definition Loblolly derived from \u2018Lob\u2019 to bubble or boil especially porridge and \u2018lolly\u2019 \u2013 broth boiled in a pot. The Royal Navy copied the expression \u2018loblolly\u2019 boy as associated with anyone who helped the surgeon. When the loblolly boy was not making up medicines or winding bandages he could be seen spoon-feeding invalids with broth or burgoo \u2013 a kind of porridge.<br>More power was given to the Company of Barber Surgeons when they were requested to administer all arrangements for the entry of sea surgeons to the Royal Navy. On some occasions, they were obliged to enforce their entries by the use of the Acts of Impressment when because of the increase in the number of warships, more surgeons were needed. Certainly the practice of having surgeons aboard warships of any size increased and even their use in hospital ships.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-2 kadence-column_0e5d3e-d6\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image_274dcb-6e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image_274dcb-6e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:1035px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image_274dcb-6e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image_274dcb-6e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image_274dcb-6e figure{max-width:1035px;}.kb-image_274dcb-6e .image-is-svg, .kb-image_274dcb-6e .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image_274dcb-6e .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image_274dcb-6e\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"253\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/standard.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1807\" srcset=\"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/standard.jpg 253w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/standard-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 253px) 100vw, 253px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>#kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px );padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}#kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-rowlayout alignnone\"><div id=\"kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5\" class=\"kt-row-layout-inner kt-layout-id_c21b09-d5\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-gutter-default kt-v-gutter-default kt-row-valign-top kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-m-colapse-left-to-right kt-mobile-layout-row\"><style>.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_da44fc-84{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_da44fc-84 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_da44fc-84\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:2\">The first recorded hospital ship \u2018Goodwill\u2019 joined the Mediterranean Fleet in&nbsp;1620. She was either a converted fifth-rate warship, ie one that carried around 32 cannons, or converted merchantman. To make the ship more hygienic, gratings were cut in the wooden side planking so as to increase ventilation. She carried one surgeon and a surgeon\u2019s mate and three attendants. &nbsp;1694&nbsp;saw the foundation of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich by William and Mary for the \u2018relief and support of seaman who by reason of age, wound and other disabilities shall be incapable of further service at sea\u2019. The promised relief did not arrive until the end of the century when the first 42 patients were admitted. At the time, invalids and pensioners numbered almost 3000.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image_e0be83-9b .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image_e0be83-9b\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"231\" src=\"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/haslar_history2-1024x231.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1816\" srcset=\"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/haslar_history2-1024x231.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/haslar_history2-600x136.jpg 600w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/haslar_history2-300x68.jpg 300w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/haslar_history2-768x173.jpg 768w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/haslar_history2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:2\">Eventually, the recommendations of the Sick and Hurt Board were partly met by the opening of HASLAR HOSPITAL in&nbsp;1754. It was an improvement as formerly, sick and wounded seamen in the Portsmouth area were billeted ashore in taverns and hovels. In one year approx. 800 accommodated in this manner, over 900 died and 1000 absconded. In&nbsp;1755, 25 men escaped from Haslar through the sewer.<br>In&nbsp;1805&nbsp;Naval Surgeon Dr Trotter suggestion had been acted upon by Admiral the Earl St Vincent. He gave orders each ship had a Sick Berth compartment and advised the layout of the new areas. These encompassed the space in the ship&#8217;s bow through which the chimney from the galley on the deck below came, thus giving the sick berths a kind of \u2018 central heating\u2019. &nbsp;In&nbsp;1827, the Melville hospital at Chatham opened its doors under the courtesy title of \u2018Royal Naval Hospital, Chatham\u2019 though the purpose-built RN Hospital, Chatham was not completed until 1905. &nbsp;In&nbsp;1833&nbsp;with the expansion of British Trade four overseas stations established with the imposing name \u2018hospital\u2019 \u2013 Malta, Jamaica, Bermuda and Simonstown, as well as around forty \u2018Sick Quarters\u2019 in the British Isles.<br>Also in&nbsp;1833&nbsp;a directive was issued to the Commanding Officers in the Fleet to organise a \u201cSick Berth Attendant\u201d category of naval rating in each ship. From that date the new title appears in the wage tables of the Navy together with their varied rates of pay:<br>Assistant Sick Berth Attendant 1s4d daily (6.1\/2p) Sick Berth Attendant 1s9d daily (9p) Sick Berth Steward 2s5p daily (12p) Order in Council dated October&nbsp;1884 \u2013 this authorised the establishment of a Trained Sick Berth Rating staff and supported the formation of trained female nursing staff for work in Naval Hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Committee votes \u2013 15 Doctors against and 15 were in favour. So was born the concept of trained Sick Berth Ratings and a trained Naval Nursing Service with royal patronage QARNNS. Target figures of 396 SB Ratings for the whole of the navy, 223 afloat and 173 in Naval Hospitals. Recruits \u2013 over 18, literate, capable of doing simple accounts and physically fit. In&nbsp;1885, vacancies for Trained Nursing Sisters between the age of 25 \u2013 40 with 3 years nursing experience in hospitals nursing male patients.<br>1 Head &amp; 8 Sisters were appointed to Haslar and 1 Head &amp; 5 Sisters appointed to Plymouth. &nbsp; In&nbsp;1891, Sick Berth personnel were given new style uniforms \u2013 a double breasted jacket same as worn by CPO\u2019s. Nick name \u2018Sick Bay Tiffy\u2019.<br>Training \u2013 Short course of disciplinary training. Followed by professional training \u2013 3 months, extended to 6 months &#8211; then to 12 months at Haslar or Plymouth Hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><style>.kb-image_8a0a52-af.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image_8a0a52-af .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:173px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image_8a0a52-af.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image_8a0a52-af .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image_8a0a52-af figure{max-width:173px;}.kb-image_8a0a52-af .image-is-svg, .kb-image_8a0a52-af .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image_8a0a52-af .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image_8a0a52-af\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/RNMS_Badge_2-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/RNMS_Badge_2-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/RNMS_Badge_2-600x904.jpg 600w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/RNMS_Badge_2-680x1024.jpg 680w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/RNMS_Badge_2-768x1157.jpg 768w, https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/RNMS_Badge_2.jpg 811w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_d93ea5-06 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-_d93ea5-06 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-_d93ea5-06\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>History of the Royal Naval Medical Branch There was no demand for ship\u2019s surgeons during medieval times, as the Navy&#8217;s primary role was a transport service plus all sea-fights took place within easy reach of the coasts. Disabled mariners often found themselves homeless. Hospitals of a kind known as Houses of Pity were run by&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2602,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1803","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1803"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3510,"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1803\/revisions\/3510"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/docrn.org.uk\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}