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A study of 28 birth mothers who had given up their children for adoption revealed a significantly high proportion of mental health problems. It also showed that when these women report problems to their general practitioners a higher proportion are referred to psychiatrists than amongst the general female population. The relationship between the relinquishing of a child and the health problems is not clear but if medical and social work professionals had more knowledge of the complexity of the loss, guilt and grief and of their long-term impact a more appropriate response might result.

Social work academic Melody Mtezuka died in November 1995. She was a black woman born in Johannesburg, South Africa, who settled in Britain in 1969. She is best known for her work on race and racism and for the warmth and determination of her personality. In the early 1970's she became Principal Social Worker in child guidance in Manchester, England, where she is remembered for her clear, determined leadership and her encouragement of independence in her staff. In 1986 she moved to Manchester University's School of Social Work where she enhanced the course with her work on ethnic communities.

The urgent need for more research evidence to assist professionals in making decisions about adoption and contact are highlighted. The findings from a sample of eleven adoptive kinship networks are reported.