A pioneering Dundee social worker has died at the age of 87.
Jean Muriel Winchester was born and brought up in Edinburgh. She was educated at George Watson’s Ladies College and Edinburgh University.
She later trained at St Thomas’ Hospital in London to become an almoner, later known as a medical social worker.
After becoming a member of the Institute of Almoners in 1945, Miss Winchester worked in Edinburgh before moving in 1952 to Dundee, where she spent the rest of her life.
She worked at Maryfield Hospital, and after three years became head almoner at Dundee Royal Infirmary.
Miss Winchester was a pioneer in establishing the medical social worker’s role in the holistic care of patients.
There were only a handful of professionally trained social workers in Dundee and the assumption that almoners simply oversaw the charity clothes store had to be overcome.
Miss Winchester set up an informal group of almoners to give mutual professional support.
In DRI, an office replaced the inadequate ‘wendy house’ enclosure used, along with broom cupboards, for interviews with clients.
Miss Winchester was a founder of the Dundee Council of Social Service, which became Dundee Voluntary Action, and was instrumental in securing funds.
When the Dundee University professional qualification course was set up, Miss Winchester was involved.
In the 1970s the new Ninewells Hospital opened, and she ensured that social work was implemented properly.
As a result of Miss Winchester’s leadership, the facilities and work were an enormous improvement on the situation when she began her work in Dundee.
Later in her career she joined the social work department at Tayside House, using her experience to help Tayside Council.
Miss Winchester had a wide circle of friends and supported many of them into their later years, despite her own health problems.