John Webster (doctor)
Encyclopedia
John Webster FRCOG is an obstetrician and gynaecologist. Present at the world's first IVF birth, Louise Brown
, Dr Webster has continued to develop and further research in the field of IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
.
. It was during this time that Webster was involved with early pioneering research into in vitro fertilisation with Patrick Steptoe
and Bob Edwards
. He was also awarded his MRCOG during this period.
Webster was present at the birth of Louise Brown
(world's first IVF baby, born 25 July 1978) and assisted Patrick Steptoe with the delivery.
In 1980, Webster was invited by Steptoe and Edwards to establish with them the world's first IVF clinic at Bourn Hall
. Webster served as Deputy Medical Director at Bourn Hall from 1980 - 1985.
In 1985 Webster established an IVF Unit (CARE Fertility) at the Park Hospital in Nottingham, the 6th unit in the UK, and the first in the Midlands. He served as Medical Director at the Park Hospital from 1985 - July 2006. He was also present at the opening of the new purpose built building which houses CARE Fertility in Nottingham, and is named after him, John Webster House.
In 1988 Webster was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Louise Brown
Louise Joy Brown is the first person to be conceived by in vitro fertilization, or IVF.-Birth:...
, Dr Webster has continued to develop and further research in the field of IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
In vitro fertilisation
In vitro fertilisation is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed...
.
Life and career
Webster graduated from Liverpool University in 1960, gaining an MB ChB. From 1960 - 1963, he was a House Officer at Clatterbridge Hospital in Liverpool. From 1963 - 1964, Webster was the Senior House Officer to Mr Patrick Steptoe. From 1964 - 1974, Dr Webster practised in Canada. From 1974 - 1980, he was a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Infertility as Registrar / Consultant to Mr Patrick Steptoe at Oldham General HospitalRoyal Oldham Hospital
The Royal Oldham Hospital is a NHS hospital in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. It forms part of Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and was opened with its present name on 1 December 1989. Its services are commissioned by NHS Oldham....
. It was during this time that Webster was involved with early pioneering research into in vitro fertilisation with Patrick Steptoe
Patrick Steptoe
Patrick Christopher Steptoe FRS was a British obstetrician and gynaecologist and a pioneer of fertility treatment. Steptoe was responsible with biologist and physiologist Robert Edwards for developing in vitro fertilization...
and Bob Edwards
Robert Edwards (physiologist)
Sir Robert Geoffrey Edwards, CBE, FRS is a British physiologist and pioneer in Reproductive medicine and in-vitro fertilization in particular. Along with surgeon Patrick Steptoe, Edwards successfully pioneered conception through IVF, which led to the birth of the first test-tube baby, Louise...
. He was also awarded his MRCOG during this period.
Webster was present at the birth of Louise Brown
Louise Brown
Louise Joy Brown is the first person to be conceived by in vitro fertilization, or IVF.-Birth:...
(world's first IVF baby, born 25 July 1978) and assisted Patrick Steptoe with the delivery.
In 1980, Webster was invited by Steptoe and Edwards to establish with them the world's first IVF clinic at Bourn Hall
Bourn Hall Clinic
Bourn Hall Clinic in Bourn, Cambridgeshire, England, is one of the world's leading centres for the treatment of infertility. The original building, Bourn Hall, is about 400 years old...
. Webster served as Deputy Medical Director at Bourn Hall from 1980 - 1985.
In 1985 Webster established an IVF Unit (CARE Fertility) at the Park Hospital in Nottingham, the 6th unit in the UK, and the first in the Midlands. He served as Medical Director at the Park Hospital from 1985 - July 2006. He was also present at the opening of the new purpose built building which houses CARE Fertility in Nottingham, and is named after him, John Webster House.
In 1988 Webster was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.