Professor Ryan joined The Oliver Callan Show to discuss the vital role of Irish nurses in the NHS and their lasting legacy.
Date: 27 February 2027
Professor Louise Ryan appeared the Oliver Callan Show on RTÉ Radio 1 - Ireland’s leading national radio station - alongside co-author and former nurse Gráinne McPolin to discuss their new book; Irish Nurses in the NHS: An Oral History. Co-written with Neha Doshi, the book explores the experiences of Irish nurses who migrated to Britain to work in the National Health Service.
During the discussion, Louise shared how thousands of Irish women migrated to Britain to train and work as nurses, drawn by the NHS’s offer of free training, salaries, and accommodation, benefits unavailable in Ireland. By the 1970s, Irish nurses made up 12% of the NHS workforce, becoming a vital part of British healthcare.
Louise also highlighted the challenges the nurses faced, including culture shock, homesickness, and discrimination, particularly during the Troubles. Emphasising the importance of preserving these stories, Louise noted that many of the nurses interviewed are now in their 80s and 90s, making this a crucial moment to document their experiences.
Fellow guests, Louise’s co-author Gráinne McPolin and former nurse Bernie Naughton, shared their experiences of moving to Britain, adapting to a new culture, and the strong work ethic of Irish nurses. They recalled the vital role Irish women played in the NHS and the sense of pride in their careers.
Throughout the 25-minute discussion Louise, Gráinne and Bernie painted a picture of the lasting legacy that Irish nurses have left in British healthcare.
Picture: Oliver Callan and Gráinne McPolin, and Professor Louise Ryan
Irish Nurses in the NHS launched at the Irish Embassy in London, hosted by Irish Ambassador to Britain, Martin Fraser. The event celebrated the untold stories of Irish nurses and their vital role in the NHS. The book has been a huge success and, because of the significant sales, has already gone to a second print run.