13 Facts About Nora Wattie

Nora Wattie MBChB, DPH was a pioneer of social medicine, setting up Glasgow's internationally renowned ante-natal care service.

For thirty years, Nora Wattie worked on improving women's and children's physical and mental health in the slums of Glasgow, influencing the medical profession and advising government.

In 1964, Nora Wattie was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to public health, and declared Scotswoman of the Year by the Glasgow Evening Times.

Nora Wattie herself attended Aberdeen Girls High School, and in 1916 attained her school leaving certificates.

Nora Wattie went on to study medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery on 14 July 1921.

In 1922 she was appointed non-resident house physician by Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and Nora Wattie went on to qualify in Public Health at Cambridge University in 1923.

Nora Wattie put her proposals out to non-medical forums as well; for example, addressing 700 delegates of the National Council of Women in Portsmouth in 1930 about the substantial Seamen's Welfare Agencies supported in Glasgow; the Council passed a resolution 'for improved medical and recreational facilities for the welfare of seamen'.

Nora Wattie went on to develop her primary interest in improving the health of women and children in the poorest slums of Glasgow, and, in 1934, she was appointed Principal Medical Officer.

In 1936, Nora Wattie spoke to the Glasgow District Nursing Association on the danger of the common cold and that 'children brought up in overcrowded dwellings, and unsuitably fed and clothed, were especially liable to catarrhal infections'.

In 1941, Nora Wattie was advocating school feeding in a paper 'The Child Under War Conditions' saying the supply of a balanced meal to make up deficiencies in a child's home diet should continue:.

Nora Wattie was recruited for a 'Brains Trust' which met in Glasgow in 1942, The question master was Tom Honeyman, and other panellists included Guy McCrone and Paul Vincent Carroll.

Nora Wattie was co-opted as being 'eminently qualified' to participate in the British Government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality, reporting to the House of Commons in February 1944 on how to reduce infant deaths and on plans for health improvement.

Nora Wattie spoke out on behalf of providing adequate facilities in schools for girls in puberty, researching in 1949 the lack of availability of period products, changing facilities and safe disposal in 53 schools, for the Menstrual Hygiene Subcommittee of the Medical Women's Federation.