Minutes of the meetings of the Cardiothoracic Society (Pete's Club)
TitleMinutes of the meetings of the Cardiothoracic Society (Pete's Club)
ReferenceMS0063
Level of descriptionfonds
Date1959-1989
Creator 1959-1989 Cardiothoracic Society
Admin./ biographical historyThe 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, once in London and once in a provincial location. The Society's purpose was to informally discuss mistakes or errors of judgement regarding Cardiothoracic surgery, in order to assist other surgeons with their experiences of practicing cardiothoracic surgery. The one rule was "no member should report any case which reflects credit upon himself."
By 1969 the Society had expanded to 25 members, and a decision was taken to invite European surgoens to become members of the Society. This was an extremely successful and beneficial development of the Society allowing knowledge to be shared across Europe. The first European visit of the Society was made in 1975 to Paris. The meetings included a presentation of surgical operations, a scientific meeting and a social event. The wives of the surgeons would often join them for these events. This led to most meetings, in the UK or abroad, including visits and social entertaining in addition to the scientific meetings.
In 1980 and 1981 the Society became more global by accepting members from Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. After 1975 the spring meeting of the Society was held in locations outside the UK. This included the USA in 1978, China in 1982 and Vancouver in 1989.
In 1989 the Society decided that it no longer has a useful purpose, as less mistakes and errors were being reported. This was due to the development of cardiothoracic surgery with many procedures becoming routine and safe. The 1989 meeting in Vancouver was to be the final meeting of the Cardiothoracic Society, or Pete's Club.
By 1969 the Society had expanded to 25 members, and a decision was taken to invite European surgoens to become members of the Society. This was an extremely successful and beneficial development of the Society allowing knowledge to be shared across Europe. The first European visit of the Society was made in 1975 to Paris. The meetings included a presentation of surgical operations, a scientific meeting and a social event. The wives of the surgeons would often join them for these events. This led to most meetings, in the UK or abroad, including visits and social entertaining in addition to the scientific meetings.
In 1980 and 1981 the Society became more global by accepting members from Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. After 1975 the spring meeting of the Society was held in locations outside the UK. This included the USA in 1978, China in 1982 and Vancouver in 1989.
In 1989 the Society decided that it no longer has a useful purpose, as less mistakes and errors were being reported. This was due to the development of cardiothoracic surgery with many procedures becoming routine and safe. The 1989 meeting in Vancouver was to be the final meeting of the Cardiothoracic Society, or Pete's Club.
Scope and ContentThis volume contains the minutes of the meetings of the Cardiothoracic Society (Pete's Club), from 1959-1989. The minutes are mostly typescript and are glued into the volume. The minutes contain discussions of cases brought forward by members of the society on mistakes and errors during cardiothoracic surgery.
The volume also contains papers such as menus for dinners at the meetings, and occasionally signatures of members at certain events.
At the front of the volume is a reprint, and typescript copy, of an article on the history of the Cardiothoracic Society by BB Milstein, which was published in the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery in 1991.
The volume also contains papers such as menus for dinners at the meetings, and occasionally signatures of members at certain events.
At the front of the volume is a reprint, and typescript copy, of an article on the history of the Cardiothoracic Society by BB Milstein, which was published in the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery in 1991.
Extent1 volume
LanguageEnglish
System of arrangementThe volume is in chronological order.
Conditions governing accessThis volume is available to everyone for research. It can be consulted in our Research Room at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE. It is essential to book in advance so we can ensure material is available. Please email archives@rcseng.ac.uk to book a Research Room appointment.
Conditions governing reproductionCopies of material in the archives can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents. Some items within this collection may remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study. Permission to publish material, in print or online, must be sought in advance from the Royal College of Surgeons of England and, where appropriate, the copyright holder. Please email archives@rcseng.ac.uk in the first instance.
