LONDON.- The Royal College of Physicians’ Museum in Regent’s Park, London has been officially Accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

The College is the oldest medical college in England with an impressive collection of portraits, sculpture, silverware, books, medical instruments and other important objects. Many are displayed in the College’s grade I listed building designed by Sir Denys Lasdun in 1959.

The MLA’s Museum Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for all museums in the UK . The RCP Museum ’s award proves that it measures up to the guidelines on how it is run, how it looks after its collections and the services it provides its visitors.

The College’s portrait collection includes paintings and sculptures of the most eminent figures in the history of medicine and science from the 16th century to the present day and depicted by some of Britain ’s greatest artists.

Many items in the silver collection are working objects including the 17th century mace and 16th century silver caduceus, which are still used in College ceremonies today.

The museum also houses six 17th century anatomical tables created from preserved human blood vessels and nerves, one of only two sets known to exist. Also on display is the Symons Collection, a remarkable group of medical instruments of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians said: “We are delighted that the MLA has accredited our museum. Accreditation demonstrates the College’s ability to look after this valuable part of our heritage and makes sure that we can share it with the public at large.”

Mark Wood, Chair of MLA, said: “Being awarded Accreditation is an impressive achievement. It recognises the high standard and service that the RCP Museum provides and acknowledges the hard work of the staff”.

RCP Treasurer Sir Richard Thompson said: “Being able to apply for grants due to our new museum status will enable us to save more valuable works of art relevant to medicine and show them more widely to the public.”

Being Accredited has already allowed the Museum to apply successfully for grants to purchase a 17th century portrait of a physician by Cornelius Johnson. The Art Fund, the UK ’s leading independent art charity, gave a grant of £19,000, the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund gave £18,000 and the Beecroft Bequest helped with a grant of £5,000. These substantial grants along with the generous donations of Fellows and Members and Friends of the College have made this important acquisition possible.

The College has also recently acquired what is believed to be the only known painted portrait of the sculptor Peter Scheemakers (1691-1781), attributed to Francis Hayman, RA (c1708-1776). The painting depicts the sculptor in an imaginary studio with a newly completed bust of William Harvey. This is thought to be the bust that now hangs in the College, commissioned by Richard Mead to replace the bust lost in the Great Fire of London. The College, will be conducting further research into the painting, which has until this time been held in private hands and virtually unknown. The rescue of the portrait from obscurity by the College has the potential to unveil its mysteries.