Ros Chown, who died aged 71, spent most of her professional life working as a sexual health adviser in genito-urinary medicine across multiple NHS hospitals. She was based in Cambridge, Wakefield, and Torbay during her career, which spanned several decades until her retirement in 2019.
Chown was recognized as an active contributor to her field, serving as a member of the Society of Health Advisors in Sexual Transmitted Diseases and participating in the development of the Department of Health’s Handbook for Sexual Health Advisers in 2004. She was particularly noted for her advocacy of the public health role sexual health advisers play in reducing sexually transmitted infections through patient education on safe sex practices, contraception, partner notification, health promotion, and counseling services. During the early 1990s, she was involved in advising patients about newly introduced antiviral treatments for HIV.
Beyond direct patient care, Chown provided training and guidance to other healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, practice nurses, and midwives. She was known for promoting a non-judgmental, person-centered approach to sexual health. Her work included collaboration with community organizations such as the Wakefield Working Women’s Project to support sex workers, as well as partnerships with local youth services, support groups for teenage mothers, and advocacy organizations serving gay men.
Chown trained as a nurse at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, qualifying in 1987, and worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Clayton Hospital in Wakefield, and Torbay Hospital in Devon. She earned a first-class degree in health and social care from the Open University in 2005 while employed at Torbay.
She is survived by her spouse, her son Ben from a previous marriage to Stan Mitson, and her siblings Tom and Diki.
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