International Federation of Surgical Colleges

This series contains correspondence and papers relating to the International Federation of Surgical Colleges (IFSC). The Federation represented surgical colleges throughout the world and aimed to improve and maintain standards of surgery, especially in relation to education, training and research. The IFSC was formally inaugurated in Stockholm on 4 July 1958, and the first meetings were held at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. The Royal College of Surgeons played a major role in the IFSC and Platt's involvement in the IFSC almost certainly sprang from his Presidency of the RCS. Platt was President of the IFSC from 1958 to 1966 and honorary president from 1970, he was also chairman of working party on the training of surgeons. The IFSC worked closely with the International Society of Surgery and other surgical bodies. However, in the early 1970s, the International College of Surgeons was set up under the leadership of Aldo Parentela, and the two bodies had a difficult relationship. This controversy is well represented in this sub-series, as is the work of the IFSC on surgical education and training.

This sub-series is divided into three sub-subseries: diaries, general correspondence and papers, and files relating to individual meetings.