The early days (1841–1865)

The expansion of the asylum system following the County Asylums Acts of 1808 and 1828 and the Lunatics Act 1845 was associated with the emergence of medical doctors showing interest in the diagnostic, clinical, and legal aspects of the care of the insane. As medical knowledge about insanity expanded and medico-legal involvement in court cases increased, doctors working in this area began to demonstrate their expertise in the management and treatment of mentally ill people. 

Against this background, Dr Samuel Hitch, resident superintendent of the Gloucestershire General Lunatic Asylum organised a meeting that led to the foundation of the Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane in 1841. It was the first predecessor body of the College, and the first national psychiatric body in the world. This Association represented the professional interests of its doctors, as well as aiming to improve the plight of mentally ill people.

At this first meeting members passed fifteen resolutions. One was that the terms ‘lunatic’ and ‘lunatic asylum’ be abandoned except for legal purposes and that the terms ‘insane person’ and ‘hospital for the insane’ be substituted, the first step towards ‘parity of esteem’ for mental and physical disorders. These fifteen resolutions provided the objectives and aspirations of the Association. They also became the fundamental principles upon which the successor bodies were established.