OBE honour for leading obstetrician

A consultant obstetrician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ has been recognised in the New Year Honours List for his work in maternity services.

Professor Andrew Shennan has been made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). He is recognised for his award-winning preterm surveillance clinic at St Thomas’ Hospital, which has been emulated around the country.

The clinic focuses on screening for, treating, and preventing premature birth. As a result of this novel approach, 90% of high-risk women seen at the clinic have had a healthy baby at full-term, compared with a national average of 50-70% of women.

Professor Shennan said: “I am delighted to receive this recognition, but am basking in the reflected glory from the efforts of many.

“I really enjoy working with my patients. Making a difference to them is the reason why we do this.”

He added: “It’s also really satisfying having students, both undergraduate and PhD, because you’re able to nurture the next generation of researchers who will have an impact on the future population. Helping others to realise their potential is truly worthwhile.”

Professor Shennan is also Professor of Obstetrics at King’s College London, leads clinical research in the Women’s Academic Health Centre, and is Clinical Director for the South London Clinical Research Network.

In 2017, he was awarded the prestigious Newton Prize for excellence in research and innovation in support of economic development and social welfare in low and middle-income countries.

After qualifying in 1985 from St Mary’s Hospital Medical School, Professor Shennan took up house officer roles in London before working in Africa for 18 months – it is here that he developed an interest in global health, and the ambition to tackle maternal mortality in low income countries.

In 1997, he was awarded his MD thesis from Imperial College London and joined Guy’s and St Thomas’.

Professor Shennan’s research interests include interventions to predict and prevent preterm birth, pre-eclampsia and the use of blood pressure monitoring. He has published more than 400 peer reviewed research reports and received numerous awards for his work in the developing world.

He said: “Global health is very exciting because little things can make a big difference.”