Matron Knows Best

Joan Woodcock always dreamed of becoming a nurse. And in 1966 the dream came true. From her very first day as a naive sixteen-year-old cadet, standing nervously outside Matron's office, this is Joan's story of an eventful career spanning forty years in the NHS.Working on hospital wards, casualty units and out in the community, as well as stints in a prison and a police unit dealing with sexual assault, Joan has seen it all. In this moving memoir she gives an honest, revealing account of a challenging, unpredictable and ultimately rewarding life in nursing.From an early encounter with a horrific axe injury, to the patient who swallowed their suppositories, to daily dealings with difficult patients and all kinds of bodily fluids, Joan shares memories of laughter and tragedy, and of the now defunct matron system that at one time instilled nurses with such high standards of professionalism and patient care.

We offer easy, no-hassle 30-day returns for eligible orders from the UK, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU. If you're not satisfied or your item arrives damaged, just email us for approval and we’ll provide a region-specific return address. Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving approved returns. For damaged items, share a clear unboxing video — and you can keep the item after refund approval. At this time, exchanges are not supported. All orders ship from our main warehouse in Hyderabad, India, and are dispatched within 12–36 hours (Mon–Sat). We manage all customs paperwork (IGST, IOSS, VAT) to ensure smooth delivery. Shipping is free in most regions and typically takes 5–9 business days. Priority shipping (4–6 days) is available at checkout for a small fee. We use trusted carriers like Royal Mail, DPD, Emirates Post, Aramex, and Australia Post. Once shipped, you'll receive a tracking email.

👉 View full Returns & Refunds policy | 👉 Shipping Info