| Alt Ref No | 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 45, 46 |
| Administrative History | Mary Esslemont was closely involved in the affairs of the British Medical Association and was the only female doctor to serve on the profession's team that negotiated with Aneurin Bevan on the establishment of the National Health Service. She was a member of the Association's national council for 23 years, and served on several of its committees, including the journal committee, 1943-1968 (excepting two short breaks),and the public health, amending acts, occupational health, joint BMA and Royal College of Nursing, international relations and overseas affairs committees.
She became a fellow of the Association in 1959 and was elected vice-president in 1970. She was also the first woman to sit on the Scottish Council, of which she became chairperson in 1968. |
| Description | Papers relating to Mary Esslemont's involvement with the British Medical Association. The series includes correspondence regarding membership and positions of office, 1954-1970; minutes of Council Meetings, 1946-1964 (incomplete); Annual Representative Meetings, 1942-1982 (incomplete); Special Representative Meetings, 1943-1951 (incomplete); Committee Meetings, 1943-1964; Scottish Office Meetings, 1940s-1960s; and International Meetings, 1960s-1980s.
Records dating from the 1940s and 1950s contain much material relating to the formation of the National Health Service. The minutes of the Special Representative Meetings (MS 3179/11/3) and of the Representative Committee (MS 3179/11/4/15) are especially good sources, the Representative Committee being the association's governmental liaison committee on the bill. |