One week; three pieces of good news!

Good news #1

Our recipe for invalid fruit tart featured on the Great British Bake Off this Tuesday. We had originally submitted it to the Scottish Council on Archives awareness campaign, the Edible Archive, last year and it caught the eye of the producers of the show. There was obviously quite a bit of interest in the tart following its debut TV appearance as it trended on Twitter that evening.

For those of you that might be tempted to try the recipe below, I can confirm that it is really very tasty having sampled it at an Edible Archive event! For more information please see the special addition to our home page this week, and there's still time to catch the programme on iplayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01mg53s/The_Great_British_Bake_Off_Series_3_Episode_3/.


Invalid fruit tart recipe (1 gill is 142ml)


Good news #2

In January we took part in a workshop to explore the potential for an archive accreditation scheme. There have been significant developments made in this area since and we’re very pleased that we are one of the Scottish archive services chosen to participate in the pilot. For more information please see http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/accreditation.htm


Good news #3

We're delighted to welcome Louise Williams to our team; she will start work on our Wellcome Trust funded project to catalogue our extensive collection of Norman Dott case notes next Monday (for more information please see our project page).

How To Cope With Your Student Debt Problem



How To Cope With Your Student Debt Problem.

Have you just gone up to College or University? How are you coping? Or, in the case of parents, maybe one of the children is now at College and is having a few problems regarding money. Unfortunately, most people are these days?

To save getting totally unnecessary and unwanted money problems, if you start before the problems arrive, then obviously things will be much better for you. Read on to find out how to tackle this situation.

Also, once you have sorted out your money problems, your mind will be free to concentrate on your studies, and after that any spare time you may have will be yours to enjoy.

Unfortunately, always at the back of your mind is the Student Loan. At the time of writing this definitely has to be repaid. Therefore, let's start with that boring thing called a budget.

Mr. Micawber had the right idea when he said in David Copperfield

Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds, nineteen shillings and sixpence, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery.

Sit down, work out what money you realistically have to spend each week/month and draw up a budget around that figure. It is absolutely necessary to be accurate here; otherwise you will be fooling yourself. You will need to throw out probably all luxuries - sorry - but if you concentrate on getting good passes when you leave, your earning power should be greater, and then you can concentrate, hopefully on the luxuries.

You will need to get a 'Student' loan. Shop around to find the one with the best overdraft. Forget all about the 'free gift' sweeteners that are in actual fact, valueless in money terms. Remember your Student Loan must be paid directly into your Student Account.

Do not take out credit or store cards. These are horrendously expensive ways of borrowing. You will come to regret it. You will have enough worries without adding unnecessary items like credit cards to the pile.

If you decide to take a part-time job during term time and a full time job between terms, do not let your work suffer or your time at University suddenly becomes pointless.

Get a NUS Extra Card. It costs £10 but is worth it. Always take it out with you, and ask in shops if they do a NUS discount.

Council Tax. As a full time student you are not liable for Council tax, but you must get an exemption certificate from the College (University) Registry.

That student necessity - the Mobile Phone. Take out a Pay-As-You-Go contract.

Do think about taking out Insurance for your possessions. It costs - yes, but it pays to be covered and may well be cheaper in the long run.

Health. Students can get help with National Health Service (NHS) charges and the relevant forms can be obtained from the NHS. Telephone 0845 850 1166 (UK students only)

Shopping. Shop around. Learn where the bargains are. If you cannot afford to pay cash for it, then the answer is NO.

Take a look at my web site for all the latest money saving information.- page after page of it. You really cannot afford to leave home without it. True!

This site also includes tips on student cookery that will save you money, plus money saving tips on just about everything you care to think about. From phone calls, free SMS (a student essential) motoring, medicines and on and on and on.

Online Universities: Medical Fields of Study

Prospective students who are aspiring to attain a medically-related education through an online university will uncover a large number of schools that offer an immense assortment of health disciplines from which to choose.

In addition to medical office assisting, online universities frequently provide certification programs in child psychology; dental assisting; fitness and nutrition; medical coding, billing and transcriptions; nursing aide and/or patient care technician; occupational therapy aide; pharmacy technician; physical therapy aide; phlebotomy; surgical technician; veterinary assistant; X-ray technician - to list just a small portion of academic choices.

As well, online universities commonly offer continuing education credits to professionals in an array of health sciences to help maintain professional standards of practice and to keep practitioners abreast of new technologies and medical advancements. Some online universities offer diversified subject matter such as bioterrorism; pathology and physiology; HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; geriatric healthcare management issues; chronic disease studies; ethical guidelines; immunology; oncology; family practice; cardiac imaging, women's healthcare; and so much more.

In many instances, online universities extend degree program opportunities in a myriad of healthcare-associated fields, too. Of those fields, students may opt to enroll in an Associates, Bachelors or Master's program in healthcare management; Healthcare Sciences: Public Health Administration; Advanced Physician Assistant; Doctor of Naturopathy; Bachelor of Science in Natural Health; Health Services Administration; Doctor of Philosophy in Holistic Nutrition; Health Information Technology; MBA in Health Care Management; and numerous other health studies.

For students or professional practitioners that are seeking diploma programs, online universities will regularly afford educational prospects in this area as well. Today, candidates can select from a vast assortment of certificate/diploma courses comprised of life care planning; case management; health services management; workplace psychology; emergency and disaster management; forensic nursing; and medical office administration.

While there are countless other healthcare-related disciplines from which to select, online universities provide their students with the most up-to-date technology and assorted healthcare training programs via distance learning. As the popularity and demand increase for online degree programs and e-learning, students will eventually be able to enroll in even more broadened categories of the healthcare industry.

If you are thinking about enrolling in one of many Online Universities to attain your health services education or would simply like to learn about some of the programs that they offer, feel free to visit the Distance Learning Directory at SchoolsGalore.com for more information.

Health Courses - Be Globally Competitive in Providing Health Services



Why are health courses more significant nowadays compared to other professions? Nursing and other medical related care courses have been given emphasis among other professions because of the demand and the intricacy of work. Although there are lots of students who take up nursing courses, some countries still lack employees who could give proper assistance and attention to the elderly, sick, and disabled patients. Due to the competency issues, the health organisations and governments are very strict in hiring nurses, caregivers and the like. If you are a registered nurse yet you can hardly find a suitable job for you, then your competency and credentials might not be enough to be hired. Being a competitive nurse simply means that you are expert enough to deliver comprehensive health services to every patient that you have been assigned to. Even though you are already a registered nurse, it still does not guarantee you to be immediately hired in a certain health care institution. Indeed, many hospitals, clinics, and private health organisations are in-need of many nurses or health care associates; however, they are carefully selecting applicants to be part of the team.

In health courses, nurses must be equipped with competency through acquired skills, knowledge, and the right attitude to do the job. Needless to say, nursing is a rewarding type of profession, but not all nurses enjoy working in the hospitals because their salary is not enough to pay back the sacrifices and efforts they give just to do their obligations. Today, there are online tutorials and trainings that are very helpful in boosting your nursing career. Actually, there is a remarkable range of courses and seminars offered online that everyone can take advantage of. There are categories for everyone to select from. You will never run out of choices because there are undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development courses available over the web. Some online classes are open for accredited and short-termed courses. This is very advantageous in the part of people who want to learn more about health care services. However, the most important thing that everyone should consider is to find an online tutorial centre that supports, trains, and teaches them with comprehensive and technical education. Opt for online seminars and teachings that are accessible, flexible, affordable, and personalised to make it easy for you most especially if you have a busy schedule.

Finding tailor-made health training sessions online is the solution that most nurses and health care workers want to take up. All in all, a competent training centre helps everyone become well-informed and proficient. Be globally competitive in providing health and support services.

Essential Information About Nurse Practitioner Grants



The medical industry is changing rapidly, and numerous health care facilities need certified professionals to fill various employment positions. However, there are more job openings than there are educated and trained nurses to take these career opportunities. Several organizations and institutions solve this problem by offering grants that motivate nurses to obtain an advanced degree and special training in their field.

Different Sectors That Provide Grants For Advanced Degree in Nursing

These are among the numerous institutions that provide scholarships to nurses, so they can attain higher education and refine their professional skills.

1. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

The AANP Foundation expresses its commitment to support education and training of nurses. This nonprofit organization funds a number of nurse practitioner grants for professional development. Since the medical field can benefit from employing qualified nurses, they need to have extensive skills in carrying out their responsibilities. The AANP awards these grant incentives to eligible students each year.

2. National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health or NIH offers a wide variety of grant programs for advanced nursing and health care degrees. Interested students can learn about the application process and different options for scholarships at the official website of the NIH. The organization provides a single application that is valid for different types of grants.

3. The National Nurse Practitioner Symposium

Nursing students can avail of incentives funded by the National Nurse Practitioner Symposium. For instance, it caters to the needs of nursing students by supporting the advanced degree educational scholarship. This applies to students enrolled in a graduate program for nurses. In addition, the NNPS rewards $500 to students in the master's level who attends the yearly symposium.

4. The Academy of Neonatal Nursing

The Academy of Neonatal Nursing extends its services to deserving students who specialize in neonatal medicine. The ANN supports nursing students by funding grants for further training and education. Qualified students may receive the Ingrid Josefin Ridky scholarship, an incentive offered annually. This is applicable to a nursing student who plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career as a neonatal nurse specialist.

5. National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

This institution intends to deliver numerous services to aspiring pediatric nurse practitioners. Nursing students who lack funds or financial resources to continue their education may apply for grants. Through these scholarships, the institution aims to promote excellent health care for children. With advanced skills and education, students can provide the best support to numerous patients.

6. Rochester University

The university has a remarkable graduate program for nursing students. Aside from offering excellent education programs, Rochester University works with institutions that fund students' further studies. One of the incentives that students can avail is the March of Dimes grant, which is worth $5000. Eligible applicants are registered nurses who wish to specialize in neonatal or obstetrics practice nursing.

These institutions support nursing students who intend to pursue advanced education for professional development. With these opportunities, nurses can provide the best services to patients who need optimum care.

For additional information concerning Nurse Practitioner Grants and other information that can benefit nurse practitioners,

Volunteer perspective


This week’s blog comes from Sara Cranston, the Edinburgh University Records Management trainee, who spent last week on a volunteer placement with us at LHSA.
“I have been visiting LHSA this week to get an insight into the world of archiving. My main tasks have been working on the on-going volunteer project to index the case books of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, and cataloguing some NHS staff newsletters.
My task with the Royal Edinburgh Hospital casebooks has been to input details of each patient to create an index for each admission. When this is finished it will be much easier to locate records of individuals in the Case Books, which should be of great help to family historians and researchers.  Although I believe there are still around 20,000 patient records to input.
I have found these Case Books really fascinating. The volume I have been working on dates from 1878 – 1879 and contains remarkably detailed information about each patient. It definitely makes me want to find out more about nineteenth century perceptions and approaches to mental illness. Some of the pressures felt by the patients admitted to the Hospital are ones still present in society today. For example the causes of some patients’ illnesses are attributed to stress over lack of work, grief over the death of a loved one, and even the result of banking crises.  One patient is a metal merchant who stops speaking due to ‘mental anxiety’ after losing all his money due to the collapse of Glasgow City Bank. Others are admitted after drinking bouts, or more physically manifest symptoms such as epileptic fits.
Sara with a Royal Edinburgh Hospital case book
As well as this, I have been organising copies of the Messenger internal staff newsletter of the Lothian University Hospital NHS Trust into acid free folders, and cataloguing them. These are much more modern documents dating from between 1999 and 2003. My instinct would be to think that an internal staff newsletter probably wouldn’t be that interesting, but from reading the headlines as I catalogued I notice they contain lots of information and opinions about the changes taking place in the NHS and document the move of the Royal Infirmary out to Little France. 
I’ve also been getting an insight into the wider work that LHSA does, from dealing with enquiries, to outreach (including blogging like this), to receiving records from the NHS, and I am looking forward to learning more about conservation tomorrow afternoon. “

How to Have Your Student Loans Forgiven

In a few instances, you're able to get rid of some or all your school loan debt through a loan forgiveness program. Depending on your degree with your current occupation, you could be able to get one of several programs. In case you are thinking whether it's possible to have your debt through your job, ask someone in your human resources department. The following are techniques for finding your student loans forgiven.

Volunteer

Some volunteer companies offer loan forgiveness in return for a specific amount of your energy and time. If you happen to volunteer for AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, or Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) you can get nearly 70% of your loans forgiven. Visit their websites to learn more information regarding available programs.

AmeriCorps
PeaceCorps
VISTA

Become a Full-Time Teacher

If you have a Perkins loan, you might have some of it forgiven by working full-time in an basic, middle, or junior high school that assists young people from low-income households. The more years you teach, the more you can have forgiven. A local school board should have additional information about which schools within your area offer loan forgiveness under the National Defense Education Act.

Other states have additional programs where you can apply for as well as additional scenarios. You could call your loan board of education for information about your situation

Join the Military

One of the benefits of joining the armed forces is loan repayment. At present, the Army, Army National Guard, Air Force, Air Force National Guard, and the Navy offer repayment programs up to $20,000 dependent upon the branch. Unfortunately, the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force Reserves do not offer such opportunities.

Become a Doctor or Lawyer

Health and legal professionals can receive six-figure loan debt relief. Fortunately for these Ph.D holders, there are various loan forgiveness programs that can reduce their financial stress.

The National Institutes of Health forgives some financial debt for health care students who complete some types of medical research including clinical, medical disparities, and birth control research.

Certain physicians can get up to $50,000 of student loans forgiven through the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program in return for two years of volunteer service at a clinic which has a lack of medical experts. You may be able to receive added forgiveness for additional service.

An extensive list of medical student loan forgiveness programs can be obtained at the Association of American Medical Colleges' website.

Law school graduates could have some of their loans forgiven by doing some non-profit work. Equal Justice Works has a list of law schools that have a loan repayment assistance program. If your school is listed, get hold of your financing department to find out how you can have your student loans forgiven.

In addition, you can find easy to use, helpful information about student loan forgiveness at Student Loan Forgiveness Headquarters. Student Loan Forgiveness Headquarters is a site dedicated to helping you to find the necessary options and information that could help you get rid of your student loan stress, today.

Global Student Insurance

Studying within the country might not be what many students love. Instead, some students prefer to study overseas. For students who would love to further their studies abroad, it is good that they get global student insurance. This has a lot of benefits to offer them during their courses.

Actually, this type of insurance is meant only for students in the U.S. However, citizens working in the education sector abroad as well as faculty members also get benefit from this plan. Health issue may pose a lot of challenges while abroad. Climate and dietary intake are two major contributors to this.

As a result, the global student insurance also caters for health care of the international students. Various health issues are in the package. They include; inpatient hospital services, drug prescription, inpatient mental attention and physician visitation. Maternity services are also part of it.

Since global student insurance is a contract like any other business transactions, once the period of the insurance ends, the policy also terminates. To continue enjoying the service, a new agreement needs to be made.

There are various plans for global student insurance, however, the Patriot International plan is the most common of the plans. This plan is very flexible. As a U.S student travelling abroad to study, this plan will cover all your needs outside the country especially the health needs. The plan is renewable, so you can continue to enjoy the service.

However, you need not to stress yourself regarding applying for the global student insurance as you can apply online. You will need to get an online manager and register. You will have to present all your documents for the trip after the application has been approved. Afterwards, it would be sent to you through mail. Although you may take the traditional way of registration at the office of travel insurance agent, it is stressful. Also, you will need to take your documents along and after verification, the contract begins.

However, the online registration is easier and safer. It will save the cost of travelling to agent office and as well you can channel the time to do other preparations. In either case, it is good that you confirm that the agent you are registering with is internationally certified. There could be some changes along the trip and without the company being certified internationally, problem may arise and you would be at risk.

Also, it is important and advisable that after the completion of the registration with the insurance agent, you register with the state department of international students. This is to present your study abroad travel insurance certificate. This would help in case of emergency or any assistance that comes forth from the government to the international students.


Student Aid - The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship



The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship is designed to provide eligible students with an award to cover their tuition fees and other reasonable costs related to educational costs and living costs. The student should be training to become dentists, nurse practitioners, primary care physicians, physician assistants or nurse-midwives, and should be willing to give between two and four years of service in a National Health Service Corps approved site where there is deemed to be the greater professional shortage or greatest need.

Student applications for awards are accepted once a year, and students should be enrolled or accepted for enrolment in accredited training programmes for health professions. Students may apply before their first year of study or after one or more years of schooling have been completed. The application for the award itself should be completed and submitted online, and any extra forms and documents should be submitted separately on paper. Students will need to send proof of their US citizenship, their academic transcript, a resume of no more than five pages, school evaluations and essays in response to prompts. Students should ensure that their applications are timely, as applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Although all students with eligibility and with the desire to work where they are most needed are encouraged to apply, scholarships are generally granted with repeat to the following priorities: First are ex-NHSC scholars who are in need of extra support. Next are scholarships for students deemed to be in exceptional financial need, and these are typically students enrolled in either medical or dental school. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are another priority group.

Those students that have been successful in their applications for the NHSC scholarship will receive either an e-mail notification or a mail letter by September 30th. The successful applicant should then send an immediately reply in order to accept the award. Your award notification will state a deadline for your reply, and, in the event that you fail to reply and accept the award by this deadline your offer will expire. For those unsuccessful applicants notification will be sent by October 31st. Be sure to make the most of all your applications as well by applying for education grants that may be available to help support your education in addition to the scholarship as well.

If you're stuck and need some help finding good information online try using Financial-Aid-Directory.com for finding the latest information on financial aid to help you when you need it most.

Student Health Insurance Explained

Student medical cover is a kind of personal medical cover designed specifically for people studying at university or college. Usually, students will be over 18 or older and no longer covered by any medical insurance plan held by their parents. Cover can be low cost and restricted in the scope of terms, or more expensive and comprehensive.

IS STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE REALLY NEEDED?

Student medical cover is often considered as non essential because some universities, colleges and higher education establishments have their own medical clinics and facilities. However, this is not always the case, and in any event, the medical care provided may be insufficient and not appropriate for all students requirements.

There is also the idea which argues that since students are mostly young, they are less likely to be affected by the onset of illness and are therefore far less in need of medical cover. Although there is some merit, statistically, in the correlation between age and ill-health, youth does not provide an iron clad assurance against falling ill. In any event, not all students are young.

A further dynamic making the case for student medical cover is student lifestyle. This is not to say that all students indulge to excess but a combination of late nights, work pressure, parties, excessive drinking, takeaway food, promiscuity and the use of recreational drugs can all take a deep toll on the physical and mental health of students. Bodies exposed to this way of life can become host to numerous diseases and viruses, ultimately leading to acute medical conditions.

Should the worst come to pass through extreme living or not, a student medical insurance plan can provide the essential procedure quickly rather than having to rely on the NHS in the UK, or any state provided medical treatment abroad.

STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FORIEGN STUDENTS IN THE UK

Overseas students studying at a UK university or college for courses lasting 6 months or more are automatically entitled to subsidized health and medical treatment on the NHS. However, there are charges for things like prescription drugs, eye and dental care.

Students studying a course which lasts for less than 6 months are still entitled to subsidized NHS care, but only if they are from an EEC member state, or from a country that has a joint medical treatment agreement with the UK. In both these cases. Student medical cover is needed if one does not wish to rely on the overstretched resources of the NHS. In this instance, student health cover will provide many things not provided by the NHS, along with a host of other advantages for your peace of mind.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UK STUDENTS STUDYING OVERSEAS

Particularly in the case of UK students studying abroad, student healthcare cover can be crucial where state medical treatment is insufficient or prohibitively expensive.

Student medical cover is mostly necessary when students are planning to study abroad. If a student is provided for on his or her parents medical insurance plan, it may not be the case that the cover will extend to overseas study. It is therefore worth checking any plan to see if such cover is built-in. If not, see if arrangements can be made for the expansion of cover. Otherwise, a separate student medical plan can provide the needed level of cover whilst studying abroad.

Aside from covering against ill-health, international student medical cover very often covers other travel associated conditions.

There are usually advantages to purchasing separate student medical cover. Primarily, a student will have access to fast, superior level treatment and can choose his or her own specialists and doctors without being restricted to the doctors that a college may provide as a part its medical treatment policy, if indeed it has one.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT STUDENT HEALTH PLAN

As with any medical scheme, student medical insurance is really no different when it comes to selecting the appropriate policy at the appropriate price from the appropriate company for your exact medical needs. The internet has made the selection process relatively quick and straightforward. Cost comparison websites provide almost instant comparisons of the various student medical plans on offer in the market.

Lots of providers that specialize in providing student medical cover provide discounts on prescription drugs, eye care, dental and other health services.

It is well worth investiing the time to explore the numerous types of policies, options and rates to get the finest possible student cover at a price which is reasonable. If you do not have the time or the inclination to do your inquiries online, then employing the expertise of an insurance adviser to search the marketplace is always a different option.

Before filling out an application form for any scheme, you initially need to think about exactly what your particular needs are and what options you would prefer cover to include.

Getting yourself covered with an appropriate policy is very often never first on the catalog of a students priorities. You may be under the apprehension that you are already provided for on a parents plan, or be subscribing to the "it will not happen to me" ethos. You may indeed be covered, and it may never happen to you. Then again, you might not be covered and it may well happen to you.

The safest policy is financial protection against the risk of injury and illness. Student medical insurance will provide comfort and peace of mind to both you and your parents.

Clinique Photos: a new accession


An excellent run of photographs in LHSA’s collection is that of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Residents, of which there is almost a complete set from 1880 – 1973, with a number of older and more recent photographs (the oldest dates from 1865). These are an excellent source of images of famous medical staff during their training in Edinburgh. The collection as a whole is fascinating to look at, not only for finding famous individuals or ancestors; but for charting changing styles of dress and appearance, spotting the appearance of women from the 1940s onwards (although the first female resident was appointed in 1920), men in service uniform during the war years, and the odd residency pet!

Mr WJ Stuart Clinique, Winter 1925

A similar series of photographs, which is not so well represented, is that of the Cliniques. In these classes, a number of Edinburgh practitioners taught smaller groups of medical students in their specialisms. A gift of two photographs recently accessioned by LHSA (Acc 12/032) has helped to fill some of the gaps. The photographs show the Cliniques of Mr WJ Stuart in Winter 1925, and Dr Edwin Matthew in Spring 1926. 

A selection of the residents’ photos can be viewed on the following webpage: RIE Residents

LHSA out and about again

Today we’ve been taking part in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital’s summer fete, held annually in their grounds. Previously we’ve sent some of our promotional material along and it has been distributed by Artlink, who are heavily involved in the organisation of the event. But this year we had our own stall...


As well as digital images of the Hospital’s Royal Charter (find out more about the Charter on our website), we took postcards and leaflets to help spread the word about LHSA’s collections and services. We also had a laptop with a slideshow illustrating the Hospital’s long history (it celebrates its bicentenary next June).

It’s been a lovely sunny day in Edinburgh and there was a good turnout for the event. As well as LHSA’s stall, there were many others promoting the work of the Hospital and associated charities and groups. There was also plenty of home grown or baked produce for sale, including vegetables from the Hospital’s grounds. Cupcakes from a fellow stall-holder kept us going, and a win on the tombola saw us bringing back a box of goodies to share with colleagues in the Main Library!

It was great to be involved in activity at the heart of the Hospital - the fete was attended by patients and staff along with members of the public. There was a fantastic atmosphere, lots of interest in our stall, and we’re looking forward to going again this time next year!

New accession: Medical Women’s Federation: Scottish Eastern Branch (MWF: SEB)


We have been lucky to receive the papers of the MWF: SEB, dating from approximately 1917 – 2006 (Acc 12/030). The collection contains Advisory Council Papers, minutes, syllabus cards, financial papers, correspondence, campaign papers, newspaper clippings, and MWF historical papers.They are therefore a rich and comprehensive source of information on this branch, part of the Scottish region of the MWF, a UK-wide organisation founded in 1917 with the intention of promoting female doctors, and women’s health. 

The minutes of MWF: SEB Council meetings from  the 1920s and 1930s illustrate the breadth of areas in which these female doctors were engaged and reflect the concerns of the MWF at a national level:  the scale of salaries for public health officials (especially with regard to equal pay), ante-natal care, work with other national organisations such as the British Medical Association, and birth control. The latter had become a contentious issue in the wake of Marie Stopes’ work and the minutes of February 1928 indicate that the members of the Medical Women’s Students Association had asked the MWF for a lecture on the subject as there was no official teaching. The Council reflected that it “might be helpful for the Final Year students also to have a talk from someone engaged in active practice”; presumably they meant from a doctor engaged in prescribing birth control, rather than using it!
MWF: SEB Advisory Council Minutes, February 1928

As well as their campaigning and education focus, the branch produced an annual syllabus; monthly meetings with speakers which also served as social functions. Together these records show the interconnectedness of many Scottish doctors, their interests and associations, valuable information for researchers. The accession will complement existing collections relating to eminent Edinburgh-based female doctors, such as Helen Millar Lowe  , whose names appear within the records as active members of the MWF: SEB. 

MWF: SEB Syllabus, 1961 - 1962