Gwyneth Helen Lewis OBE is a British physician who is a professor at University College London. She previously served as National Clinical Director for Maternal Health and Maternity Services for the Department of Health. Lewis helped to write Maternity Matters, a strategy that outlined the future of maternity care in the United Kingdom.
Gwyneth Lewis | |
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Alma mater | University College London |
Awards | Order of the British Empire |
Scientific career | |
Institutions | University College London |
Lewis attended Oxford High School, England. She attended the UCL Medical School, where she earned her bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery and started her medical career as a surgical specialist.[1] Lewis developed severe arthritis in her hands.[2] She held positions in general practise and obstetrics.[3] She believed that she would have a greater impact in the Department of Health and Social Care, working to support the National Health Service, and trained in public health.[2] One of her first responsibilities was leading an HIV/AIDS clinic at the height of the first epidemic.[2]
Lewis was recruited to the University College London Institute for Women's Health as Lead for International Women's Health Research. She studies national and international maternal health.[4] Lewis was responsible for the UK Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths.[5] This research project, has helped reduce poor health and morbidity.[6][7] In the 1999 report, Lewis identified that maternal mortality rates were higher for very young women, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those from particular socioeconomic groups.[5] She served as tsar for maternity services until 2011.[8][1]
Lewis worked with the World Health Organization on Beyond the numbers, a study and guidebook that looks to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care.[9][10] She received funding from the British Council to create My Sister, My Self, a short film that explored birth, motherhood and child loss amongst mothers around the world.[citation needed]
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