IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0114 MS0063
Held at: Royal College of Surgeons of England
Title: Cardiothoracic Society
Date(s): 1959-1989
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 1 volume
Name of creator(s): Cardiothoracic Society x Pete's Club
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Cardiothoracic Society, a travelling thoracic surgical club, was formed in 1959. The first chairman was Peter Jones, and the Society became known colloquially as 'Pete's Club'. The Society began with 15 members who would meet twice a year. The Society's purpose was to informally discuss mistakes or errors of judgement regarding cardiothoracic surgery to improve best practice. The one rule was 'no member should report any case which reflects credit upon himself.' By 1969 European surgeons were invited to become members. The first European visit of the Society was made to Paris, in 1975. The meetings included a presentation of surgical operations, a scientific meeting and a social event. The Society became more global by accepting members from Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, in 1980-1981. In 1989 the Society decided that it no longer has a useful purpose, as fewer mistakes and errors were being reported. The final meeting took place in 1989 in Vancouver.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of the Cardiothoracic Society, 1959-1989, comprising minutes of meetings, including the discussion of mistakes and errors during cardiothoracic surgery, 1959-1989; menus from dinners at the meetings; signatures of various members; and a reprint, and typescript copy, of an article on the history of the Cardiothoracic Society by B B Milstein, published in the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 1991.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
In chronological order.
Conditions governing access:
By written appointment only.
Conditions governing reproduction:
At the discretion of the librarian.
Finding aids:
Additional manuscripts catalogue.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
At the final meeting of the Cardiothoracic Society in 1989, it was decided that the Minutes of the Society should be bound and presented to the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The volume was presented to the Library by Raymond Hurt, Secretary to the Cardiothoracic Society, through Sir Terence English, in 1992.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
For material of a similar club, see MS0148 - Minutes of the London Society of Thoracic Surgeons (Charlie's Club) 1952-1992. A society meeting annually to discuss mistakes, or 'Charlies' made by members carrying out thoracic surgery.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Compiled by Anya Turner.
Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with 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.
Date(s) of descriptions: Aug 2008