Jane Hatfield, the first CEO of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) has passed away after a battle with ovarian cancer.

Hatfield, who was also chair of the Institute of Voluntary Action Research (IVAR), has been remembered by colleagues from across the sector as an ‘inspirational’ woman, leader and advocate for women’s health.

Across her career, she worked with and for health related charities for over 25 years, including in HIV/AIDS and supporting people with breast cancer.

She became the first chief executive of the FSRH in 2013 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2019. She underwent various rounds of treatment, but died at her home, surrounded by family, on 22 May 2021.

President of the FSRH, Dr Asha Kasliwal said Hatfield was a “passionate advocate for women’s health”, who “realised her vision to modernise the FSRH, working tirelessly to improve what we offer to members”.

“Jane also spearheaded our policy and influencing work, raising awareness of often-neglected areas in women’s health and championing the voices of frontline healthcare professionals. In recognition of her achievements, FSRH awarded her an Honorary Fellowship in March 2021; the award was presented to her at the leaving event celebrating her contribution.

“Jane will be greatly missed by her colleagues, our members and the wider Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare community. Our thoughts are with Jane’s wife Gali, their children, Saul and Alma and everyone that knew and loved her.”
Leaders from across the sector have taken to Twitter to remember Hatfield, including Thomas Lawson who said her “intelligence, rigour and rights-based approach was something to behold and from which to learn”.

I’ve worked alongside Jane for over 20 years. Her intelligence, rigour and rights-based approach was something to behold and from which to learn. Let alone her sense of humour. ❤️

— Thomas_Lawson (@ThomasJLawson) May 26, 2021

The charity she chaired, IVAR, said she lived her life with “gusto and style, principle and passion”, combining a “fierce intellect with wit and irreverence”.

We have received some very sad news – our inspiring and wonderful Chair, Jane Hatfield, has died from ovarian cancer. Jane lived her life with gusto and style, principle and passion, combining a fierce intellect with wit and irreverence. Our thoughts are with Jane's family.

— IVAR (@IVAR_UK) May 27, 2021

Hatfield journaled a week in her life for Charity Times in 2020, where she revealed the struggle leading a charity through a pandemic, whilst battling a terminal illness. You can read her diary here.

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