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Matron Campbell
Isabella Campbell was born in Jedburgh in 1889 and spent part of her childhood in Carlisle. We know from the 1911 census that by this point she was already working at Stannington as a nurse and over the coming years was appointed to the role of matron. Annual reports made by Campbell demonstrate her dedication to the children in Stannington:
"Thirty two years ago a great adventure was begun. A little band of pioneers built a Sanatorium at Stannington ... Stannington is more than a great hospital, it is a happy home where medical treatment is just an incident in each day's round of happy little duties and pleasures. Is it any wonder that time and again our boys and girls come back to us, and that sometimes a man or woman says, half shyly, "Do you remember me? It's twenty years since I was here." And so the work goes on. The faith of that first little band of adventurers has been more than justified."
Matron Campbell, 1938 annual report
She had spent over 30 years working in the sanatorium before she was eventually forced to retire in 1943 owing to illness and comments made by the Management Committee make clear that she was held in very high regard
"It is with great regret we have to report the retirement, owing to ill health, of Miss I. Campbell, who for over 30 years has been matron of the Children's Sanatorium. During this time Miss Campbell has seen many thousands of children restored to health and vigour, and on behalf of all who knew and admired her, we extend best wishes for a happy retirement."
1943 Annual Report
Unfortunately, the illness that forced her retirement took its toll and Campbell died just over a year later in Newcastle on 28 January 1945. It is believed that one of the ward sisters at Stannington was also Matron Campbell's sister and it appears that her sister cared for her at their home in Newcastle during her sort illness. The role of matron following her retirement was taken over by Mrs Jessie Williams.
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