Records of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, 1979-2002

Administrative history

A Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons was formed at the inauguration of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948. Following increasing specialisation in medical disciplines in the mid-20th century there was a trend for emergent disciplines to found independent academic bodies, separate from the general Colleges of physicians and surgeons, to provide for their own educational and examination requirements and maintain standards in patient care in their field.

By 1970 anaesthesia was the largest single specialty in the NHS, but its Faculty did not control its own funds or award its own diplomas. During the 1970s there was debate within the profession as to whether the dependent Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of England should remain, or whether an independent institution should be established. A College of Anaesthetists was eventually established, by Supplementary Charter, within the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1988. In 1989 the decision was made to become independent and funds were raised to acquire premises at nos 48-49 Russell Square, London. It was succeeded by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCOA), founded as an independent body by Royal Charter in 1992, with responsibility for setting standards for practice in anaesthesia, establishing standards for training postgraduate practitioners, administering examinations and continuing medical education of all anaesthetists. See the RCOA website: http://www.rcoa.ac.uk

Content

• Miscellaneous records, 1979-2002, of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and its predecessors, among them publications, including newsletters, 1989-1994, 1998-2000, bulletins, 1991, 2000-2002, and annual report, 1998/9
• Correspondence relating to funds for the acquisition of nos 48-49 Russell Square, 1979-1993
• Regulations concerning examination for the diploma, 1986
• Catalogue of possessions
• Programme for official opening of the College and artwork for the RCOA coat of arms; records relating to events, including dinner menus