Politics and public health in inter-war Plymouth

The Labour Party and the Medical Officer of Health
The Duke & Duchess of York opening the new Mount Gould Hospital
The Herald (The Duke & Duchess of York opening the new Mount Gould Hospital with Dr Nankivell in May 1932)

  • Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Save event
With Dr Mike Sheaff , Visiting Research Fellow University of Plymouth
Dr Austin Nankivell became Plymouth’s Medical Officer of Health in 1925. Four years later the Conservatives lost control of the city council. An extraordinary period of change followed. From birth control to cancer services, and from child welfare clinics to establishing a municipal hospital, the city was at the forefront of radical progress in health care. This changed in 1932. With austerity policies in the ascendant, Conservatives regained control of the council, and Dr Nankivell was imprisoned for ‘gross indecency’. This talk, focusing on synergies between political and professional roles during his tenure, also considers connections between subsequent political conflicts and the criminal allegations against him.
Date: Tuesday 28 January 2025
Time: 19:00–20:20
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Roland Levinsky Building
Ticket information: £6, £4 concessions, Free to University of Plymouth students & Historical Association members
Previous January 2025 Next
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
The National Archives FO 371. Medical  Research Council's Report on Diets for Boys 1927
The National Archives FO 371. Medical  Research Council's Report on Diets for Boys 1927
Wellcome Collection. Cover Page. 1925 Annual Report on Health of Plymouth
Wellcome Collection. Cover Page. 1925 Annual Report on Health of Plymouth

More from the Arts & Culture programme

Two students looking at an exhibition in The Levinsky Gallery (rectangle)
Exhibitions
Jill Craigie Cinema
Film
Woman talking at dance meets diversity event
Talks
Woman in traditional Asian dress dancing on stage
Performance
Takács Quartet with instruments in a field (The Bridge Music)
Music
People enjoying the Ocean exhibition at The Levinsky Gallery
About the Arts & Cultural Programme
Andy Cluer and Mary Costello talking in the Levinsky Gallery

Contact the Arts & Cultural Programme team

Arts & Cultural Programme, Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA

The Levinsky Gallery, Tuesday–Friday 10:00–16:00, Saturday 12:00–16:00, Closed Mondays, Sundays and Bank Holidays

Event photography and video

Please be aware that some of the University of Plymouth's public events (both online and offline) may be attended by University staff, photographers and videographers, for capturing content to be used in University online and offline marketing and promotional materials, for example webpages, brochures or leaflets. If you, or a member of your group, do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please let a member of staff know.