Records of the Scottish Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

The records comprise: Executive Committee Meetings Minutes, 1967-2011; Business Meetings Minutes, 1999-2012; Workforce Sub-Group Meetings Minutes and Papers, 2006-2011; Regional Advisors Committee Minutes, 1997-2008; Retired Psychiatrists Working Group Meetings Minutes, 1998-2009; Scottish Division Psychotherapy Section Conferences Topics and Programmes, 1970-2001.

The Scottish Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists was established in 1869. The decision to create the division was first discussed at the 1854 annual meeting held in London when a letter from Dr Macintosh of Glasgow, suggesting the formation of a branch Association in Scotland was approved unanimously, but not implemented.

The suggestion by Dr Macintosh was re-visited at the 1868 London meeting when it was proposed that regular quarterly meetings rather than annual meetings be held, and that two of these take place in Scotland or the North.

On 28 November 1869 a meeting was held at Edinburgh where it was resolved that a branch association of the Medico-Psychological Association be formed in Scotland with a view to having special meetings of those members who reside in Scotland and the north of England.

The work of the Division became more prominent after the establishment of National Health Service in 1948. This involved responding to Government consultation papers.

It was only in 1995 that a Scottish Office was opened to look after the increased work of the Division which was resulting from devolved jurisdiction responsibilities. In 2010 all the Celtic divisions of the College were renamed, with the Scottish Division becoming the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland.

The records are subject to the College's 30 year closure rule. Access to the material which is open is by appointment with the Archivist on telephone: 0207 235 2351 ext. 6169, email: archives @rcpsych.ac.uk . The College Archives is open Mondays to Fridays 09.30 hrs to 16.30 hrs. The Archives is not open during weekends and bank holidays.

The records were transferred to the Royal College of Psychiatrists Archives from the Scottish Division.

Description compiled by Francis Maunze, Archivist and Records Manager, February 2013.

The early records of the Scottish Division (1869-1971) are held at the Lothian Health Services Archive (GB239 GD 15 Royal Medico-Psychological Association, Scottish Division).

Reproduction of the records is subject to the requirements of the College Preservation Policy.

Further additions to the archive are expected.