Fonds GB 1538 RCOG/D5 - College records relating to the foundation of 'Birthright' (later 'Wellbeing') and its relationship to the College

Identity area

Reference code

GB 1538 RCOG/D5

Title

College records relating to the foundation of 'Birthright' (later 'Wellbeing') and its relationship to the College

Date(s)

  • 1969-1979 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

2 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

In 1964, obstetrician Professor Will Nixon set up the 'Childbirth Research Centre', after witnessing the grief of a young man whose wife had died during childbirth. Professor Nixon was director of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at University College Hospital, London for over twenty years. Leading members of the medical profession including Lord Brain, Sir John Peel, Professor Dugald Baird and Sir George Pinker founded CRC as a registered charity in October 1964. They were very disturbed by the lack of scientific and medical research into the causes and prevention of abnormalities in pregnancy, childbirth and infancy. In 1972, the name was changed to 'Birthright' 'The National Fund for Childbirth Research' in order to reflect the national activities of the charity both in terms of fundraising and research. In April 1975 Birthright agreed to work with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to improve women's health. Birthright worked in partnership with the RCOG as a fundraising and research organisation to promote research in obstetrics and gynaecology and related subjects, particularly research into the prevention of birth defects.

Archival history

An artificial series of records which was originally catalogued as RCOG/K; the records were removed from the papers of College Presidents and grouped because of their subject matter, prior to transfer to the Archives.

GB 1538 RCOG/D5 1969-1979 fonds 2 boxes Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

In 1964, obstetrician Professor Will Nixon set up the 'Childbirth Research Centre', after witnessing the grief of a young man whose wife had died during childbirth. Professor Nixon was director of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at University College Hospital, London for over twenty years. Leading members of the medical profession including Lord Brain, Sir John Peel, Professor Dugald Baird and Sir George Pinker founded CRC as a registered charity in October 1964. They were very disturbed by the lack of scientific and medical research into the causes and prevention of abnormalities in pregnancy, childbirth and infancy. In 1972, the name was changed to 'Birthright' 'The National Fund for Childbirth Research' in order to reflect the national activities of the charity both in terms of fundraising and research. In April 1975 Birthright agreed to work with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to improve women's health. Birthright worked in partnership with the RCOG as a fundraising and research organisation to promote research in obstetrics and gynaecology and related subjects, particularly research into the prevention of birth defects.

An artificial series of records which was originally catalogued as RCOG/K; the records were removed from the papers of College Presidents and grouped because of their subject matter, prior to transfer to the Archives.

It is probable that C7/1-3 were removed from President's correspondence files. The records at C7/4-5 were transferred to the Archives by the Committee Secretary, Administration Department. The 1993 report on GP vocational training in obstetrics and gynaecology (C7/5) was found amongst President's papers for that year.

Records of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists relating to the foundation of 'Birthright' (later 'Wellbeing') and its relationship to the College, 1969-1979, comprising the Presidents' collection of correspondence and papers as President of Birthright, the Honorary Treasurers' papers, agenda and minutes of meetings, accounts and publicity material.

In 1999 a Disposal Agreement (DA/5) was made between the Administration Department and the College Archives to destroy unsuccessful applications.

Later correspondence and papers are found within their correct administrative context.

Open, although restrictions apply for items containing personal information.

English

RCOG/B3/2 have been indexed and the names of successful candidates will be found in the Index to the Guide to the College Archives.

A microfilm copy of the minute book at C7/1M is at MR/17.

Imported from the RCOG catalogue and edited by Sarah Drewery.

General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.

Import: Oct 2008; edit: Feb 2009. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Social welfare Maternal welfare Medical sciences Obstetrics Childbirth

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

It is probable that C7/1-3 were removed from President's correspondence files. The records at C7/4-5 were transferred to the Archives by the Committee Secretary, Administration Department. The 1993 report on GP vocational training in obstetrics and gynaecology (C7/5) was found amongst President's papers for that year.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists relating to the foundation of 'Birthright' (later 'Wellbeing') and its relationship to the College, 1969-1979, comprising the Presidents' collection of correspondence and papers as President of Birthright, the Honorary Treasurers' papers, agenda and minutes of meetings, accounts and publicity material.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

In 1999 a Disposal Agreement (DA/5) was made between the Administration Department and the College Archives to destroy unsuccessful applications.

Accruals

Later correspondence and papers are found within their correct administrative context.

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open, although restrictions apply for items containing personal information.

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

RCOG/B3/2 have been indexed and the names of successful candidates will be found in the Index to the Guide to the College Archives.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

A microfilm copy of the minute book at C7/1M is at MR/17.

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Rules and/or conventions used

General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; 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