GB 0120 SA/DCP - Association of District Community Physicians

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0120 SA/DCP

Title

Association of District Community Physicians

Date(s)

  • 1974-1980 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

3 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Association was established in Feb 1975, following a proposal made by a meeting of District Community Physicians (DCPs) at the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene Annual Conference, Oct 1974. Its formation resulted from DCPs' overwhelming desire to have their interests and collective opinions properly represented under the reorganised National Health Service. The Regional and Area Medical Officers had already formed their own national associations and the Society of Community Medicine (formerly Society of Medical Officers of Health) had banned the formation of functional groups within its new organisation. The Association of District Community Physicians aimed to provide a forum for discussion of problems peculiar to DCPs; promote interests and views of DCPs and prepare evidence to be submitted on their behalf, to other bodies when necessary; arrange special educational courses and symposia; and promote research projects relevant to needs of DCPs. Initially members were split over whether they should support and maintain allegiance to the Society of Community Medicine, however, the Association did establish strong links with both the Society of Community Medicine and Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, including cross-membership, joint meetings and a shared address (28 Portland Place).

From the start, DCPs were concerned about their new role, duties, terms, training and whom they were to be responsible to. The DCP was a new post and they had no relevant experience or code of practice to use for guidance. In the confusion resulting from NHS reorganisation they felt that their job was ill-defined and they were anxious to remain independent from the pressures and influences of Area Medical Officers [See files in Section D]. It was hoped that by getting together the DCPs would be more effective in arguing their case to the Department of Health and Social Services and British Medical Association. However, their voice was one amongst a number of organisations recently formed to represent community medicine. The Association of District Community Physicians functioned until the next health service reorganisation in 1982 and subsequently merged into the new Association of District Medical Officers.

Archival history

GB 0120 SA/DCP 1974-1980 Collection (fonds) 3 boxes Association of District Community Physicians

The Association was established in Feb 1975, following a proposal made by a meeting of District Community Physicians (DCPs) at the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene Annual Conference, Oct 1974. Its formation resulted from DCPs' overwhelming desire to have their interests and collective opinions properly represented under the reorganised National Health Service. The Regional and Area Medical Officers had already formed their own national associations and the Society of Community Medicine (formerly Society of Medical Officers of Health) had banned the formation of functional groups within its new organisation. The Association of District Community Physicians aimed to provide a forum for discussion of problems peculiar to DCPs; promote interests and views of DCPs and prepare evidence to be submitted on their behalf, to other bodies when necessary; arrange special educational courses and symposia; and promote research projects relevant to needs of DCPs. Initially members were split over whether they should support and maintain allegiance to the Society of Community Medicine, however, the Association did establish strong links with both the Society of Community Medicine and Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, including cross-membership, joint meetings and a shared address (28 Portland Place).

From the start, DCPs were concerned about their new role, duties, terms, training and whom they were to be responsible to. The DCP was a new post and they had no relevant experience or code of practice to use for guidance. In the confusion resulting from NHS reorganisation they felt that their job was ill-defined and they were anxious to remain independent from the pressures and influences of Area Medical Officers [See files in Section D]. It was hoped that by getting together the DCPs would be more effective in arguing their case to the Department of Health and Social Services and British Medical Association. However, their voice was one amongst a number of organisations recently formed to represent community medicine. The Association of District Community Physicians functioned until the next health service reorganisation in 1982 and subsequently merged into the new Association of District Medical Officers.

These papers were transferred to the Wellcome Library by the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford (together with a number of other collections including the papers of the Society of Medical Officers of Health) in 1996. They had been placed in the Oxford Unit in 1987. It has not been possible to trace the original depositor from the surviving accessions information; however, it is likely to have been the last President or Secretary.

The collection covers material relating to activities of the Association of District Community Physicians from its inception to 1980. They include minutes, lists of members, newsletters and subject files. Many files relate to the role of the District Community Physician in the reorganised NHS. The final year of its existence is not covered; however, some information may be found in the papers of the Society of Medical Officers of Health (SA/SMO) and Association of Area Medical Officers of Health (SA/AMO).

The collection is divided into sections as follows:

A. Minutes:

A.1 Executive Council, 1974-1980;

A.2 Annual General Meetings, 1975-1979;

A.3 Community Physicians in Greater London.

B. Lists of members

C. Newsletters

D. Subject files

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. Readers are restricted to 100 photocopies in twelve months. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

English

In the Wellcome Library:

Relevant information may be found in the papers of the Society of Medical Officers of Health (SA/SMO) and Association of Area Medical Officers of Health (SA/AMO).

Copied from the Wellcome Library catalogue by Sarah Drewery.

In compliance with ISAD (G): General International Standard Archival Description - 2nd Edition (1999); UNESCO Thesaurus, December 2001; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Jan 2009 Health services Community health nursing Pathology Diseases Infectious diseases Health Health policy People People by occupation Personnel National Health Service Associations Association of District Community Physicians Organizations Medical personnel Physicians Medical sciences Medical profession

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

These papers were transferred to the Wellcome Library by the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford (together with a number of other collections including the papers of the Society of Medical Officers of Health) in 1996. They had been placed in the Oxford Unit in 1987. It has not been possible to trace the original depositor from the surviving accessions information; however, it is likely to have been the last President or Secretary.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The collection covers material relating to activities of the Association of District Community Physicians from its inception to 1980. They include minutes, lists of members, newsletters and subject files. Many files relate to the role of the District Community Physician in the reorganised NHS. The final year of its existence is not covered; however, some information may be found in the papers of the Society of Medical Officers of Health (SA/SMO) and Association of Area Medical Officers of Health (SA/AMO).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

The collection is divided into sections as follows:

A. Minutes:

A.1 Executive Council, 1974-1980;

A.2 Annual General Meetings, 1975-1979;

A.3 Community Physicians in Greater London.

B. Lists of members

C. Newsletters

D. Subject files

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

Conditions governing reproduction

Photocopies/photographs/microfilm are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds, and that photographs cannot be photocopied in any circumstances. Readers are restricted to 100 photocopies in twelve months. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

In the Wellcome Library:

Relevant information may be found in the papers of the Society of Medical Officers of Health (SA/SMO) and Association of Area Medical Officers of Health (SA/AMO).

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Wellcome Library

Rules and/or conventions used

In compliance with ISAD (G): General International Standard Archival Description - 2nd Edition (1999); UNESCO Thesaurus, December 2001; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area