Obstetrics pioneer, Professor Wendy Savage, on awards shortlist

Published: 12 February 2010
by TOM FOOT

THE young and ambitious obstetrician was immediately written off when she came to London in 1969 seeking professional credentials.

Married and with four young children, her senior consultant said “there’s no place in gynaecology and obstetrics for women”.

But Professor Wendy Savage, who lives in Vincent Square, Angel, went on to become the country’s first female consultant in her field, at the London Hospital, and a tireless campaigner for women’s rights.

Now she has been nominated for a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the British Medical Journal. She said: “It was straightforward misogyny. But the health service was full of people dedicated to the belief that women got married and looked after the kids. 

“I remember seeing that senior consultant at the London Hospital’s Christmas party and feeling rather pleased with myself.”

An elected member of the General Medical Council for 17 years, Prof Savage was thrust into the limelight following a high-profile inquiry in 1985 when she was accused of incompetence in the management of obstetric cases and suspended from her post at the London Hospital Medical College, now part of Bart’s. She was cleared of all charges and reinstated in 1986. 

Prof Savage, who has worked in Africa and America, continues to campaign for Doctors for a Woman’s Choice on Abortion group.

The British Medical Journal describes Prof Savage as a champion of “women’s rights in childbirth and fertility”.

To vote for Wendy visit http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/dec29_2/b5549