Beatrice Brysson Whyte

Beatrice Brysson Whyte (1921 – 27 November 1993) was a British nurse and educator.

Biography
Brysson Whyte was educated at St Anne’s, Caversham.

Whyte gained experience as a VAD in a Dorking hospital, Surrey which, confirmed her intention to qualify as a nurse. Brysson Whyte trained at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford from 1941 to 1944. She then spent four years in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QAIMNS/R) and served in India. After her years in the army she completed her Pt 1 midwifery at the General Lying In Hospital, London and her Pt 2 at Hampstead. She completed her sister tutor’s diploma at the University of London, at King’s College of Household and Social Science.

Whyte started working at Thomas Guy School of Nursing Lambeth in 1951 and continued there until she retired in 1981. She was appointed as a sister tutor in 1951, principal sister tutor in 1962, principal nursing officer (education) in 1971 and director of nurse education from 1975.

In 1959, Whyte received a Red Cross scholarship to travel to North America to study teaching methods.

Whyte became a member of the General Nursing Council in 1965. In this role she was an active member of the education committee. In 1975, she became Chair of the Council’s ad hoc Committee on Examinations and Assessments.

Personal life and death
Brysson Whyte enjoyed classical music and ballet. She was also a proud supporter of Pink Floyd, which included one of her younger relatives, Roger Waters.

Whyte died of cancer on 27 November 1993.

Honours
In 1981, Brysson Whyte was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Nursing (FRCN) and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Barnes Day Hospital was renamed the Brysson Whyte Rehabilitation Unit in 1996 in recognition of her contribution to the science and art of nursing.