12 Facts About Frances Ivens

Mary Hannah Frances Ivens CBE FRCOG was an obstetrician and gynaecologist who was the first woman appointed to a hospital consultant post in Liverpool.

Frances Ivens entered the London School of Medicine for Women in 1894 at the age of 24, doing her clinical studies at the Royal Free Hospital and qualified in 1900 with the gold medal in obstetrics and honours in medicine and forensic medicine.

Frances Ivens had further postgraduate experience in obstetrics and gynaecology in Dublin and Vienna followed by seven years' surgical experience in London at the Royal Free Hospital, the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital in London, and the Canning Town Mission Hospital for Women in East London.

Frances Ivens was active in the suffrage movement and was chair of the Liverpool branch of the Conservative and Unionist Women's Suffrage Society.

Frances Ivens continued as medecin chef until February, 1919, with only one period of leave in England, which she spent largely in lecturing to raise money for the hospital.

Frances Ivens published accounts of these in the medical literature.

Frances Ivens was closely involved with the rebuilding of the Maternity Hospital, and with the formation of the Liverpool Women's Radium League.

Frances Ivens was a leader in the establishment of the Crofton Recovery Hospital for Women.

Frances Ivens was succeeded in her posts in Liverpool by Ruth Nicholson who had been her assistant at Royaumont.

Frances Ivens played a leading role in the activities of the Royaumont and Villers Cotterets Association and was chairman of the Cornwall committee of the Friends of the Fighting French.

Frances Ivens kept in touch too with former staff members who would meet annually at the annual dinner of the Royaumont Association.

Frances Ivens died on 6 February 1944, at the age of 74, in Killagorden, St Clement, Cornwall.