History
Founded in 1919 by Dr. Arthur Cressy, a General Practitioner from Wallington Green, the Sutton and District Medical Society is thought to be the fourth oldest of its kind in England. Dr. Cressy established the Society to foster mutual support among GPs in Surrey, covering Wallington, Carshalton, Sutton, and Cheam. As the number of medical practitioners grew, a new local War Memorial Hospital was built in 1923 in Carshalton. Here, GPs served as medical staff, caring for in-patients and manning a Casualty department. The hospital’s operating theatre, named The Cressy Operating Theatre, hosted innovative procedures piloted by Dr. Cressy, often with the assistance of patients' own GPs, providing continuity of care. Eminent visiting surgeons, introduced through Society lectures, also performed operations at the theatre.
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In 1948, with the advent of the National Health Service, the Presidents of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians visited the area, and new local consultants were invited to join the Society. Initially, the Society’s lectures were strictly medical, but they have since expanded to cover a broader range of topics. Evening meetings now welcome family and friends, fostering a valuable local professional network.
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The Sutton and District Medical Society continues to adapt to changes in medical services, offering a forum for professional updates and local networking. Monthly meetings are held at Banstead Downs Golf Club, Burdon Lane, Belmont, Sutton, Surrey SM2 7DD, England. These meetings include a reception at 7:15 PM, followed by dinner at 7:45 PM, a lecture, and time for discussion. Members unable to attend the reception and dinner are welcome to join for the lectures. Additionally, the Society holds an annual Clinical Meeting at a local center and a formal Black Tie Dinner.
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100 Years of the Sutton and District Medical Society
The Sutton and District Medical Society, now over a century old, has a rich history of tradition and adaptability. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Society successfully transitioned its meetings to virtual formats, ensuring continuity and connection among members. We are thrilled to return to face-to-face meetings, complete with dinners and engaging talks.
The First Fifty Years of the Sutton and District Medical Society'
Authored by Dr. Theodore H. Whittington, this comprehensive history covers the first fifty years of the Sutton and District Medical Society. Dr. Whittington, who served as the Society's Archivist in 1969, was also its Secretary for an impressive 41 years from the Society's inception in 1919 until 1960. Additionally, he held the position of President twice, first from 1927 to 1928, and again from 1969 to 1970.
Dr James Ness MacBean Ross
Dr James Ness MacBean Ross was a keen member of the Society and President in 1930-31. On his death in 1964 he bequeathed £300 to the Society. This was used by the committee to institute an annual 'MacBean Ross Lecture'.
There follows information about him from the local paper and his BMJ Obituary in 1964.
British Medical Journal 16 May 1964
The Second Fifty Years of the Sutton and District Medical Society'
A copy of 'The Second Fifty Years of the Sutton and District Medical Society' authored by Dr Steve Hyer, Consultant Endocrinologist at Epsom and St Helier Univerisity Hospitals NHS Trust, current Archivist from 2017 and past President (2009 -2011) can be read below. Hard copies are available on demand via the Society secretary.