2 - THE FIRST STEPS: 1900–1939

Summary

In the 1900s infant mortality was appalling, and it was the highest in the working class in the north of England. A national association for its prevention was formed and official enquiries were initiated. Concern about maternal mortality began during the Great War. In 1919 George Newman, head of the new Ministry of Health, appointed an all-female team to investigate, headed by Janet Campbell. In 1923 she made wide-ranging recommendations on training, clinical practice and provision of maternity beds. Every maternal death was to be investigated by the local medical officer of health. Pressure for parliamentary action came from the Queen and other leading women who had had difficult labours. An enquiry had taken place in Scotland and in 1928 an English national enquiry was organised. Case reports were collated by Arnold Walker and Joe Wrigley, obstetricians known for their common sense. Its 1932 Report covered 5,805 deaths and recommended that enquiries should continue. At the same time Dr Andrew Topping, medical officer in Rochdale, involved local communities in improving maternity care. Rochdale’s maternal mortality rate, the highest in England, was halved within two years.