(Chairman Dr Michael T Haslam MA MD
FRCP FRCPsych)
Was founded in 1958 and is an
independent group, in a sense complementary to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Its
informality is its strength and, being a non-official body, it can express the views of
senior psychiatrists more freely.
The Society invites the membership of
progressive, creative psychiatrists, who seek a forum for the advancement of the
speciality. The strength of its overseas membership suggests that the wider psychiatric
world is keenly interested in Britain's contribution to our developing area of medical
practice.
Study Groups of the S.C.P. examine
issues of topical interest, with the aims of reflecting and influencing psychiatric
opinion. Study Group Reports are received by all members.
Meetings of the Executive Committee
are held every two months, either in London or in other British centres. The agenda and
minutes are sent to all members, who are encouraged to attend.
The Society produces the British
Journal of Clinical & Social Psychiatry. Copies of S.C.P. Reports are available from
Dr M P K Twomey, Hon. Secretary,
Keepers Cottage, Barrock Place,
Southwaite,
Carlisle CA4 0JS.
Visit The Society of Clinical
Psychiatrists on the Internet at www.scpnet.com
FOREWORD
by Dr Michael T Haslam, Chairman of the Society of Clinical Psychiatrists
I welcome this opportunity to
introduce the relaunched journal of the Society. We have had two difficult years with the
loss of our previous sponsor and a change in Editor, but are most grateful to Dinesh
Bhugra for filling the editorial gap.
However, we hope now that with new
production and printing arrangements we can see ahead, and I look forward to a new era in
the Society’s history and a new spirit in psychiatry to take us through into the next
millennium.
Top of Page
A WORD OF
THANKS from Dr Peter Tomlin, Secretary of the Society’s Study Group from Dr Peter Tomlin, Secretary of the Society’s Study Group
from Dr Peter Tomlin, Secretary of the Society’s Study Group
The Society’s present Study
Group has continued to campaign for wrongly suspended doctors and has brought their plight
to widest possible notice, with notable recent success. It tries also to provide a
therapeutic service for individuals when matters threaten to overwhelm them.
Emigration used to be one escape
avenue previously, some of these doctors resorting to the extreme of becoming economic
exiles without there having been any finding of guilt. That escape route is being lost now
as the General Medical Council may refuse to give a certificate of Good Standing to anyone
suspended who might be contemplating emigrating.
The stress in every case is
enormous and affects all members of any suspended doctor’s family. Wives find the
situation particularly hard to bear, and it has caused at least one marriage to crash.
Harry Jacobs, our late Chairman,
always managed to find someone locally who could go the aid of a distressed doctor; he
knew so many people around the country. Regrettably, not being a psychiatrist myself, I do
not have those sort of contacts, so have relied instead upon the membership list of the
Society. I would say that this has been marvellous. I have yet to encounter a situation
where I have been unable to find someone who has been able to help. I would like to
express my grateful thanks to all who have provided the necessary care.
What is involved substantially is
listening, showing that they are not alone in the world. A key aspect, which takes it
beyond the realms of simple counselling, is using the psychiatrist's professional
expertise to decide if therapeutic intervention, or even admission to a place of
sanctuary, is necessary. Retired psychiatrists have been of particular value, since they
have been able to give their undivided attention to the doctor, whilst at the same time
some find it professionally satisfying that their skills and expertise are of help to
severely distressed colleagues. As always, it involves working in conjunction with the
suspended doctor’s general practitioner.
It has been well worth it. My
observation of the suspended doctors is that they have found it extremely beneficial.
Prior to introducing this service there were a number of suicides and fatal myocardial
infarcts induced by stress. Since then a number of would be suicides have been rescued and
helped, and we have had no more fatalities. For that I thank you all.
