Life-saving legacy of obstetric ‘flying squad’ pioneer
Dame Hilda Lloyd’s remarkable contributions are part of a longstanding tradition of maternal health research at the University.
Dame Hilda Nora Lloyd, DBE (née Shufflebotham; 1891–1982) was a pioneer in many senses. After becoming the first female professor at the University of Birmingham in 1944, she rose to become the first woman to be elected President of any Royal Medical College at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1949. She was passionate about striving to alleviate the symptoms of poverty that led to the deaths of many working-class pregnant women. One of her many accomplishments was pioneering the use of obstetric 'flying squads' in Birmingham.
The Birmingham flying squads combined obstetric care with the capacity to carry out emergency resuscitation and, most crucially, blood transfusion. The team generally consisted of an obstetrician who was skilled at resuscitation, a midwife and a nursing student; travelling in an ambulance equipped with transfusion supplies.
She was passionate about supporting women throughout all stages of their medical careers. At a time when it was considered revolutionary, she firmly believed that women with children should be able to continue their professional journeys.
While the majority of each flying squad's time was spent dealing with deliveries and post-natal emergencies, they also dealt with complications surrounding abortion. Given its then-illegal status, backstreet abortions or self-aborting led to a significant proportion of deaths. The ability to provide emergency care at the scene saved the lives of many women.
While driving this change for the city, Lloyd was passionate about its implementation. She even took the first night shift with the Flying Squad herself. She fondly remembered the compulsory tin of biscuits kept with the emergency kit to sustain the team through long call-outs.
In addition to her significant contributions to improving medical care in Birmingham, she actively promoted the inclusion of women in the medical profession and worked to enhance the prospects of female obstetricians and gynaecologists. Keenly aware of the challenges faced by many medics, she established the Women’s Visiting Gynaecological Club in 1936, exclusively for female members of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She was passionate about supporting women throughout all stages of their medical careers. At a time when it was considered revolutionary, she firmly believed that women with children should be able to continue their professional journeys. The Dame Hilda Lloyd Network, launched in 2022, is run from the University in her honour.
Join our 125th anniversary programme at The Exchange in 2025 to discover the story of the ‘Flying Squad’ and learn how Dame Hilda Lloyd’s remarkable contributions are part of a longstanding tradition of maternal health research at the University, reflecting an enduring commitment to compassionate, community-centred care in Birmingham and beyond.