Tim Draycott: obstetrician whose evidence based initiatives helped save the lives of mothers and babies around the world

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Source: BMJ

Original: http://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s177.short?rss=1...

Published: 2026-02-04T03:51:06-08:00

Professor Tim Draycott has been a Consultant Obstetrician at Southmead Hospital in North Bristol NHS Trust since 2002 and has been a leading figure in modern obstetric care and patient safety[1][3]. His greatest contribution was the development of the PROMPT (PRactical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training) program, which changed obstetric care through multidisciplinary simulation training[1]. In Bristol, he achieved remarkable results – a 50% reduction in the number of newborns born without oxygen and a 70% reduction in the number of children born with arm paralysis[1]. The PROMPT program is now used in 85% of maternity units in the UK and many countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong[1]. Draycott was Deputy President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Senior Clinical Adviser to NHS Resolution[1][3]. During his career he won several awards including the Hospital Doctor of the Year Award and the Queen's Jubilee Award for Excellence in Education[1][3]. He died on November 24, 2025 after a sudden illness[3].