Association of District Community Physicians

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 Association was established in Feb 1975, following a proposal made by a meeting of 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 SCM, however, the Association did establish strong links with both the SCM and RIPHH, 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.

An outline chronology follows:

1974 Apr 1 Reorganisation of the NHS comes into effect. Office of Medical Officer of Health abolished and replaced by Regional and Area Medical Officers and District Community Physicians.

Oct 8 Meeting of a Working Party on formation of an ADCP.

Oct 9 Meeting of DCPs in Harrogate when it is proposed, by Dr J S Robertson, and agreed to form an ADCP in England and Wales.

1975 Feb 7 Inaugural meeting of ADCP. Attempts were made to invite all DCPs to the meeting. Demand for an Association was evident: 118 out of 161 wanted to join, only 13 declined.

Oct 8 First AGM.

1976 Apr First Newsletter issued.

May Appointment of the Royal Commission on the NHS 'To consider in the interests both of the patients and of those who work in the National Health Service the best use and management of the financial and manpower resources of the National Health Service.' The ADCP made a 'Preliminary Submission' in mid-1976 and submitted its final Evidence in [Feb] 1977.

Jun 18 Symposium on 'The Changing Role of the DCP in Health Service Planning'.

1977 Jan BMA's CCCM establishes a Working Party with the Faculty of Community Medicine and the Society of Community Medicine, 'To identify the duties which are being performed by community physicians in the reorganised NHS... and to identify which of these are relevant to community medicine... examine the way in which community physicians' work corresponds with that foreseen before 1974... make appropriate recommendations in the first instance to the CCCM and the Faculty.' The ADCP submitted evidence in 1978. The Working Party produced its report in the form of a discussion document entitled 'The State of Community Medicine' in 1979 [also known as the Duncan Report].

1978 BMA's CCCM establishes a Working Party on Community Health Doctors and their long term career structure. Their Report was issued as a discussion document in 1978 [also known as the Preston Report].

1979 Report of the Royal Commission on the NHS. This led to publication of the DHSS Consultation Paper 'Patients First', on the structure and management of the NHS.

1980 Mar 7 Special General Meeting to discuss 'Patients First'.

Jul 22 Joint meeting with the AAMO. They agree to form a new Association on the basis of an amalgamation of the AAMO and DCPs. Suggested new title 'Association of Chief Medical Advisors' is not accepted by the ADCP Executive Committee.

1981 Jun ADCP and AAMO decide to form an Association of District Medical Officers from 1 Jan 1982.

1982 Reorganisation of the NHS takes effect. Posts of AMO and DCP abolished.

At Wellcome Collection:

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).

Abbreviations used in the catalogue:

ADCP Association of District Community Physicians

AAMO Association of Area Medical Officers

AGM Annual General Meeting

AHA Area Health Authority

AMO Area Medical Officer

BMA British Medical Association

CCCM Central Committee for Community Medicine (of the BMA)

CMCC Community Medicine Consultative Committee

CMO Chief Medical Officer

DCP District Community Physician

DHSS Department of Health and Social Services

MOEH Medical Officer Environmental Health

NHS National Health Service

RHA Regional Health Authority

RIPHH Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene

RMO Regional Medical Officer