Margaret Coupland Barron; born April 27, 1907, died
June 5, 1999
Dr Margaret Barron retired from the post of Glasgow's Principal Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Welfare in 1972. Appointed
in 1964, in succession to Dr Nora Wattie, she had from a very early stage in her career been committed to the development of public health and in particular the aspects which affected the welfare of mothers and their children. After graduating from Glasgow University in 1929, with
13 honours certificates and as a medallist in the class of practice medicine, she gained her experience in the Ophthalmic Institution, the Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow, and Canwell Hall babies'
hospital, in Birmingham.
On her return to Glasgow, she was in charge of the health centre in Shettleston, for a number of years before her first appointment in Glasgow's public health department as deputy assistant principal medical officer for maternity and child welfare. From 1971 to 1974 she served as a member of the working party planning the future maternity and child health service and also served as a member of the Board of Management of Glasgow Maternity and Women's Hospitals.
A generous and committed Christian woman, Dr Barron gave much of her spare time to organisations which were addressing issues generally unacknowledged by society in her time. She retired as chairman of the Walpole Housing Association, in 1987, having served from 1973 and as vice-chair of the Scottish Council for Single parents, and was nominated by Gingerbread for a Scotswoman of the Year award in 1979.
Dr Barron was one of two children of Thomas and Catherine Barron. Her sister and lifelong companion Rena retired as Head of English from the now-demolished Cranhill School in Easterhouse and her death in 1984 was a great loss.
In the celebrations held on the 50th anniversary of the NHS in Glasgow Cathedral last year, her life was portrayed by students from the RSAMD. Among other things, the presentation highlighted her disgust at a system which, prior to 1948, required those in need of attention to have the doctor's fee on the kitchen table before they were treated and her concern for those whose independence and pride would not allow them to accept treatment until they had sufficient for the fee.
Her pioneering work alongside Dr Nora Wattie and within the new NHS, made a major impact through clinical centres which they advocated and which the Corporation were to establish throughout the city.
She will be fondly remembered by all who had contact with her in either a personal or professional capacity and sadly missed by those who cared for her in the final years of her life.
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