Professor Weeks from the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health recently delivered his inaugural lecture as President of the Liverpool Medical Institution (LMI).
Andrew Weeks is Professor of International Maternal Health in the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health and Director of the Sanyu Research Unit. This illustrious appointment followed a blind nomination process and was confirmed with a vote by LMI members.
As the 186th President of the LMI, Professor Weeks will lead the LMI's education programme and officiate events for the year, representing medical professionals across Liverpool. Widening participation is one of his key goals, so this year, all lectures will be streamed free online for the first time. The lecture series addresses an important national debate around maternity services, and has been advertised nationally. It is hoped this will attract a wide range of participants, from student midwives and medical students to national policy-makers, and facilitate the LMI's move back to the centre of the Liverpool health ecosystem.
The LMI is one of the oldest medical societies in the world, tracing its earliest origins back to a 'Surgeons' Book Club' formed by a group of local surgeons who worked in the Liverpool Infirmary between 1768 and 1770. In 1839, the Liverpool Medical Library and Liverpool Medical Society merged, creating a single organisation known as the Liverpool Medical Institution (LMI).
Professor Andrew Weeks commented:
"I'm very honoured to have been chosen to be President of the iconic Liverpool Medical Institution. Throughout the Institution's 186-year history, it has always been an important place of education and debate, both regionally and beyond, and this year we will look to continue this. It's going to be a fascinating year, and we hope that many people will attend and participate."
The Presidential lecture series this year is entitled 'Bringing Life', and will focus on UK maternity services. Over the last 5 years, giving birth in the UK has suddenly changed - not only is there a rise in intervention with nearly 50% of all babies born by caesarean section, but also an increase in unattended 'free births' and high-risk home births. The series will explore the underlying cultural reasons for this trend, the benefits and the risks, and how services need to change to accommodate this 'perfect storm'.
Professor Weeks’ inaugural lecture on 18 September was entitled, Maternity care in the UK – how did we get to this?
You can view the full series schedule on the LMI website.