Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland: audio-visual material

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 2127 AAGBI AUDIO-VISUAL
Held at	: Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.aagbi.org/education/educational-resources/heritage-centre/archives ›
Full title	: Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland: audio-visual material
Date(s)	: (1916-1998) 1982-2000
Level of description	: Sub-fonds of ASSOCIATION OF ANAESTHETISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND View parent record
Extent	: c180 video cassette tapes
Name of creator(s)	: Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) was founded by Henry W Featherstone (1894-1967) of Birmingham (President of the Section of Anaesthetics of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1930-1931), who became its first President at the inaugural meeting at the premises of the Medical Society of London in 1932. It was founded at a period when specialist training in anaesthesia was virtually non-existent. One of the Association's objectives was to promote progress and safety in the practice of anaesthesia by improving the expertise, training and status of anaesthetists, so ensuring the safety and comfort of patients in the operating theatre. It now represents anaesthetists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and some overseas members, but although it is often consulted by government bodies it has no direct statutory powers. The maintenance of academic standards is the responsibility of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. At the time of its foundation the Association was the only representative organisation, and it played an important role in developments including the introduction of the first specialist qualification, the Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA) in 1935, and the expansion of the specialty during World War Two (1939-1945). Publication of its journal Anaesthesia began in 1946. It played a part in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthesia of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1947), which later became the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It was involved in negotiations about the status of the specialty preceding the inception of the National Health Service (1948); in the founding of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (1959); and establishment of the Junior Anaesthetists' Group in 1967 (renamed the Group of Anaesthetists in Training in 1991). The Association holds scientific meetings and provides a forum for clinical and academic discussion; promotes and undertakes research; and promulgates its political views both independently and through the British Medical Association. In addition to the journal Anaesthesia it produces the newsletter Anaesthesia News. The Association was granted the right to bear arms by King George VI in 1945. The Association moved from its offices in the British Medical Association House, Tavistock Square, to new headquarters at no 9 Bedford Square, London, which was acquired in 1985 and opened in 1987. In 2002 its members numbered over 8,000.

Oxford Brookes University was initially commissioned jointly by the Association and the Royal College of Anaesthetists to videotape a series of interviews with eminent anaesthetists. Oxford Brookes continues to make the series commissioned by the Association on its own behalf.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Video cassette tapes accumulated by the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, relating to the history of anaesthesia in the 20th century. The tapes, made between 1982-2000, with the original films dating from 1916 to 1998, include some compilations, and comprise some black and white and silent material but focus predominantly on the latter part of the period. The subjects cover various anaesthetic drugs, equipment and techniques, and related subjects including midwifery, dentistry, paediatrics, emergency medicine, resuscitation, artificial respiration and intensive care, and the locations include various hospitals, and military situations. A series of oral history interviews feature eminent anaesthetists talking about their work. Some of the videos were made for conferences or training purposes, and some relate to the Association of Anaesthetists itself, including a video of the opening ceremony of no 9 Bedford Square.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Access is by appointment with the Archivist only, and in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Records are generally open unless access would contravene the Act.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Subject to copyright restrictions.

Finding aids:

Database.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Accumulated by the Association of Anaesthetists from various sources, including acquisition from various organisations by donation or purchase.

Allied Materials

Related material:

The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland also holds records deposited by various anaesthetists.

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Sources: Thomas B Boulton, The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland 1932-1992 and the Development of the Specialty of Anaesthesia (Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1999); website of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland: http://www.aagbi.org (especially sections on the History of Anaesthesia by Dr David Wilkinson and on the AAGBI by Dr T B Boulton); information from Dr David Zuck.

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:
Jun 2002